SWS 3022 Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
How temperature and Rainfall impact soil formation? - Answer-High temperatures and
rainfall accelerate soil formation
Why soils in Florida tend to be more highly developed than soils in the S.W United
States? - Answer-Heat and rain fall.
Why does water have such a high heat capacity relative to other common liquids like
alcohol - Answer-When heat is added to water, the molecules speed up or vibrate more
freely. This disturbs hydrogen bonds, but causes only a small change in temperature,
because much of the heat energy is used to break or disrupt the hydrogen bonds
1.0 for water
how heat capacity impacts body temperature. - Answer-Extensive Hydrogen Bonding
Allows Water
to exist as a Liquid at Normal Temperatures
And across a wide range in temperatures
how heat capacity impacts soil temperature. - Answer-Soil temperature largely
is controlled by moisture
(soil water content)
Heat energy is required to break hydrogen bonds between water molecules, and heat is
released when hydrogen bonds are formed.
why water is relatively slow to evaporate. - Answer-The addition of heat to water causes
a relatively small change in the temperature of the water, because much of the heat
energy is used to disrupt the hydrogen bonds
What is pedogensis? - Answer-The process of soil formation as the result of the
combination of soil forming factors and processes.
What are Soil Horizons? - Answer-Roughly parallel layers in the soil
with varying composition and properties
6 Masters Horizons? - Answer-A B C O R E
, Features of O Horizon? - Answer-At least 20% OrganicOrganic horizon Formed above
the mineral soil.
Derived from decomposition
of plant and animal residues
Features of A Horizon? - Answer-Topmost mineral horizon (topsoil)
Accumulates organic material
Zone of gas and water exchange
Features of E Horizon? - Answer-- Zone of Eluviation
-Contains resistant primary materials (e.g. quartz)
Features of B Horizon? - Answer-Zone of Illuviation
Accumulates material lost from above, or forms in place.
Clay, O.M., Fe/Al, salts
Features of C Horizon? - Answer--Closely resembles parent
material
Little or no evidence of
Alteration or development
Features of R Horizon? - Answer-Bedrock
What are the Subordinate Horizon Designations? - Answer-a, e, i, g, h, p, t, w
Subordinate Distinctions of the O horizon? - Answer-Oa- Highly decomposed organic
material(sapric)
Oe- Moderately decomposed organic material(hemic)
Oi- Slightly decomposed organic material(fibric).
Dimensions of the Earth? - Answer-D=8,000 C=25,000
What is soil? - Answer-the upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark
brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock
particles.
The parameters related to soil composition for an idealized surface soil? - Answer-50%
-Solid
50%-Pore Space
45%-Mineral
5%-organic matter
Basic functions of soil in the environment? - Answer-1. Medium for plant growth
2.Regulator of water supplies
3. Recycler of raw materials
4. Habitat for soil organisms
with Correct Answers
How temperature and Rainfall impact soil formation? - Answer-High temperatures and
rainfall accelerate soil formation
Why soils in Florida tend to be more highly developed than soils in the S.W United
States? - Answer-Heat and rain fall.
Why does water have such a high heat capacity relative to other common liquids like
alcohol - Answer-When heat is added to water, the molecules speed up or vibrate more
freely. This disturbs hydrogen bonds, but causes only a small change in temperature,
because much of the heat energy is used to break or disrupt the hydrogen bonds
1.0 for water
how heat capacity impacts body temperature. - Answer-Extensive Hydrogen Bonding
Allows Water
to exist as a Liquid at Normal Temperatures
And across a wide range in temperatures
how heat capacity impacts soil temperature. - Answer-Soil temperature largely
is controlled by moisture
(soil water content)
Heat energy is required to break hydrogen bonds between water molecules, and heat is
released when hydrogen bonds are formed.
why water is relatively slow to evaporate. - Answer-The addition of heat to water causes
a relatively small change in the temperature of the water, because much of the heat
energy is used to disrupt the hydrogen bonds
What is pedogensis? - Answer-The process of soil formation as the result of the
combination of soil forming factors and processes.
What are Soil Horizons? - Answer-Roughly parallel layers in the soil
with varying composition and properties
6 Masters Horizons? - Answer-A B C O R E
, Features of O Horizon? - Answer-At least 20% OrganicOrganic horizon Formed above
the mineral soil.
Derived from decomposition
of plant and animal residues
Features of A Horizon? - Answer-Topmost mineral horizon (topsoil)
Accumulates organic material
Zone of gas and water exchange
Features of E Horizon? - Answer-- Zone of Eluviation
-Contains resistant primary materials (e.g. quartz)
Features of B Horizon? - Answer-Zone of Illuviation
Accumulates material lost from above, or forms in place.
Clay, O.M., Fe/Al, salts
Features of C Horizon? - Answer--Closely resembles parent
material
Little or no evidence of
Alteration or development
Features of R Horizon? - Answer-Bedrock
What are the Subordinate Horizon Designations? - Answer-a, e, i, g, h, p, t, w
Subordinate Distinctions of the O horizon? - Answer-Oa- Highly decomposed organic
material(sapric)
Oe- Moderately decomposed organic material(hemic)
Oi- Slightly decomposed organic material(fibric).
Dimensions of the Earth? - Answer-D=8,000 C=25,000
What is soil? - Answer-the upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark
brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock
particles.
The parameters related to soil composition for an idealized surface soil? - Answer-50%
-Solid
50%-Pore Space
45%-Mineral
5%-organic matter
Basic functions of soil in the environment? - Answer-1. Medium for plant growth
2.Regulator of water supplies
3. Recycler of raw materials
4. Habitat for soil organisms
