The main mineral component of soil is made up of different particles of weathered rock - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2015
Question a
The main mineral component of soil is made up of different particles of weathered rock.
(i) State three methods of physical weathering.
(ii) Name any three soil pa... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The main mineral component of soil is made up of different particles of weathered rock - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2015
Step 1
State three methods of physical weathering.
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Answer
Freeze-thaw action: Water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and eventually causes the rocks to break apart.
Heating and cooling: Temperature fluctuations cause expansion and contraction in rocks, leading to cracking over time.
Wind action: Strong winds can erode rock surfaces and transport small particles away.
Step 2
Name any three soil particle types.
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Answer
Gravel
Sand
Silt
Step 3
Explain the term soil texture.
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Soil texture refers to the relative proportion of different sizes of soil particles, including sand, silt, and clay. It affects the soil's physical properties such as drainage, nutrient retention, and overall fertility.
Step 4
Describe an experiment to determine the texture of a soil sample.
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To determine soil texture, a common method is the feel method or the sieve method. For the feel method, take a dry sample of soil and rub it between your thumb and fingers to assess its grittiness or smoothness. Alternatively, for the sieve method, dry the soil and pass it through a set of sieves with varying mesh sizes to separate the particles by size. Weigh each fraction to calculate the percentage of sand, silt, and clay.
Step 5
Name the organism shown above.
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Answer
The organism shown above is an earthworm.
Step 6
Mention two ways in which the above organism benefits the soil.
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Earthworms improve soil structure by creating burrows, which enhances aeration and water infiltration.
They decompose organic matter, enriching the soil with nutrients and improving its fertility.
Step 7
Describe an experiment to estimate the number of these organisms in the soil.
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To estimate the number of earthworms, mark out a specific area of soil (e.g., 1 m²) and carefully remove the top layer. Count the number of earthworms found in the sample. To get an estimate for the whole area, multiply this number by the total area size divided by the sampled area.
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