Final answer:
Soil is formed when larger rocks are broken down through weathering and erosion and mixed with organic material. This process results in a combination of mineral and organic substances that are essential for the soil's fertility. Sedimentary rocks share a similar origin in weathering but lack the significant organic component that defines soil.
Step-by-step explanation:
When larger rocks are broken down into smaller and smaller pieces and are combined with organic material, soil formation. The process involves the weathering and erosion of rocks, which results in varying sizes of particles such as gravel, sand, and clay. This disintegrated rock layer combines with decomposed organic matter from plants and animals to create soil.
While sedimentary rocks are related, as they are also formed through weathering and erosion, they involve the cementation of these smaller rock particles without a significant organic component. Instead, sedimentary rocks often form from layers of deposited sediment in water, getting cemented over time. On the other hand, soil development is the result of interactions between mineral and organic content and environmental factors such as climate and topography.