Deck 22: Properties of Soil

Question 1

Solum consists of the following soil layers.

A) O, A
B) O, A, B, C
C) A, B
D) C, R
E) 15

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A soil with pH of ____ is neither acidic nor alkaline.

A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 11
E) 15

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A loam soil consists of:

A) mostly silt and sand
B) mostly silt and clay
C) mostly clay and sand
D) nearly equal amounts of clay, silt, and sand

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which soil would have the highest permeability?

A) clay loam
B) sandy loam
C) silty loam
D) silty clay

Question 5

Alkaline soils have a pH value of:

A) from 0 to 4
B) from 4 to 7
C) near 7
D) from 7 to 11
E) 15 to 20

Question 6

The peds associated with platy soil structure most closely resemble:

A) bread crumbs
B) flakes
C) columns
D) small ropes
E) ice cubes

Question 7

What type of topography produces a thicker soil depth?

A) flat
B) gently sloping
C) steeply sloping
D) mountainous

Question 8

When the upper layers of soil are dark brown or black, this would indicate:

A) a high pH level
B) the presence of organic matter
C) a high level of solar radiation
D) the presence of iron oxides

Question 9

Porosity is the ability of soil to ___ water.

A) hold
B) dissolve
C) transmit
D) discharge
E) produce

Question 10

A pedon extends down to _______.

A) just above the C horizon
B) the top of the R horizon
C) the top of the B horizon
D) the E horizon

Question 11

The smallest soil particle is called:

A) silt
B) gravel
C) sand
D) clay

Question 12

The _______ is the rate at which water can flow through soil.

A) porosity
B) permeability
C) field capacity
D) fluviality

Question 13

70% sand, 20% silt, and 10% clay would be considered a _____ soil.

A) sandy loam
B) sandy silt
C) sandy clay
D) loam

Question 14

Soils that often swell during wet seasons and crack during dry periods are most likely ____ soils.

A) loam
B) sandy
C) clay
D) silt

Question 15

Peds that are arranged into vertical columns, especially in the B horizon, show ___ structure.

A) platy
B) granular
C) blocky
D) prismatic

Question 16

How does colluvium differ from alluvium?

A) Colluvium is transported soil, while alluvium is residual soil.
B) Colluvium is transported by overland flow, while alluvium is transported by rivers.
C) Colluvium is residual soil, while alluvium is transported soil.
D) They are both formed by the same process.

Question 17

The acidity of a soil increases as the H+ ions become more abundant.

Question 18

Cations are positively charged ions.