Soil and Weathering

3. the size, shape, and position of the particles of soil
5. the process by which rainwater dissolves and carries away minerals and nutrients in topsoil
8. the process by which natural forces break down rocks and soil
11. the process in which layers or sheets of rock gradually break off
12. weathering breakdown or decomposition of rock that takes place when minerals change through chemical processes
14. the top layer of soil that contains humus
15. the ability to let water pass through
16. the process in which sediment is picked up and moved from one place to another
17. the process in which transported sediment is laid down
18. the process of wearing something down by friction

1. the decaying organic matter in soil
2. layer of rock beneath the soil
4. weathering the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces of the same material without any change to its composition
6. a chemical reaction in which an element combines with oxygen to form an oxide; iron oxide = rust
7. the expansion of desert conditions in an area where the natural plant cover has been destroyed
9. horizon a soil layer with physical and chemical properties that differ from those of the soil layers above or below it
10. the amount of open space between an object
13. the makeup of rock or soil describing the minerals or elements present in it