EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Soil minerals form the basis of soil. They are produced from rocks (parent material) through the processes of weathering and natural erosion.

Detailed explanation-2: -The inorganic matter of soil is derived from rocks or minerals in various stages of disintegration. Inorganic matter is the major constituent of most soils. Soils that are more than 80% inorganic matter are referred to as mineral soils.

Detailed explanation-3: -The inorganic material of soil consists of rock, slowly broken down into smaller particles that vary in size. Soil particles that are 0.1 to 2 mm in diameter are sand . Soil particles between 0.002 and 0.1 mm are called silt, and even smaller particles, less than 0.002 mm in diameter, are called clay .

Detailed explanation-4: -The parent material may be mineral rock and/or organic matter. When parent rock material is exposed to the atmosphere or when organic matter and/or minerals are deposited on the earth’s surface, soil formation begins.

Detailed explanation-5: -Parent Material: Organic soils are formed by the accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter. These soils have undergone little profile development, due to the anaerobic environment (absent of oxygen) that persists.