Question

Explain the role of the sun in the formation of soil.

Answer 1

Hint: The soil-forming phase is called pedogenesis. The soil mostly occupies two layers of the earth, and they are respectively topsoil and subsoil. Soil formation is slow but a continuous process that consists of gradual rock breakdown through the weathering process, and in this process the sun acts as a natural factor.

Complete answer:
The sun plays an important role as a natural factor in rock weathering for the creation of the soil. During the day it heats up rocks. Heating induces an expansion of the rocks. The rocks cool down and contract throughout the night. Different sections of a rock expand and contract at different speeds, resulting in smaller bits or fragments (boulders) being cackled and broken up.

Other methods are as follows:
Physical weathering: - Due to mechanical activity, it involves the dissolution of rocks. It consists of changes in temperature, abrasion (rocks collide to form soil with each other or frost that contributes to rock breakdown.
Chemical weathering: -It is the process of rock breakdown due to changes in the chemical composition of the rock. This process occurs when minerals react with water, air, or any other chemical components found in the atmosphere within the rocks.
Biological weathering: - It is the dissolution by living organisms of rocks. Plant roots begin to develop in those cracks as animals dig into the rocks to provide water and air within them, which gradually causes the rocks to break.

Soil is a mixture of some mineral particles such as organic materials, air, water, and some of the living organisms. Plants primarily get nutrients from the soil and animals feed on plants, animals. Via water, wind and gravity, the material can be deposited, primarily contributing to the soil formation process. The soil formation phase can take up to five to ten thousand years.

Note: For the world, the soil is a precious resource and it needs to be maintained or can easily be lost. The soil contains minerals, organic matter, living organisms, gas, water, etc. Soil minerals are divided into three size classes: clay, silt, and sand.