Question

Granite has only recently been exposed at a location on Earth’s surface. How will this most likely affect the soil that will eventually form at this location?

A) The soil will be rich in organic matter and nutrients.
B) The soil will be rocky and poor in nutrients.
C) The soil will be sandy and well-drained.
D) The soil will be clayey and hold water effectively.

Answer 1

The soil that forms from newly exposed granite will initially be rocky and poor in nutrients due to the lack of accumulated organic matter and slow weathering process of granite. Over time, with biological activity, the soil may become more fertile.

"The correct option is approximately option b"

Step-by-step explanation:

When granite, a type of igneous silicate rock, is newly exposed on the Earth's surface, its weathering and soil development processes begin. The initial soil that forms from granite will inherit many of the properties from its parent material, which is granite in this case. Considering granite's mineral composition and the soil-forming factors like climate, organisms, relief, and time, we can determine the characteristics of soil that will eventually form at this location.

Granite weathers quite slowly because it is a hard, crystalline rock. As it begins to break down into soil, the soil will likely be rocky and have coarser particles, like sand and gravel.

These larger particles typically lead to good soil drainage, which affects the accumulation and preservation of organic matter in the soil. In the early stages of soil development from granite, there is usually a lack of organic matter because the soil is new and has not had significant time to accumulate this material from decomposing plant and animal matter.

Therefore, when considering the multiple-choice options provided by the student, the soil that will eventually form from granite will most likely be rocky and poor in nutrients (B) because the soil is initially lacking in organic matter and nutrients that build up over time as ecosystems establish themselves and contribute to the soil's development.

Eventually, over a very long period and with the right conditions, soil from granite can become more fertile as biological activity increases and more organic material is added.

Answer 2

The soil from recently exposed granite will initially be rocky and poor in nutrients, aligning with option B. Over time, organic matter may accumulate, enriching the soil, but the initial stages of formation will reflect the rocky and nutrient-poor composition of its parent granite.

Step-by-step explanation:

When granite is exposed at Earth's surface, it suggests the start of a new soil formation process. Because granite is an igneous rock, the soil developing from its weathering will initially have the characteristics of the rock itself. Given that granite is low in organic matter and nutrients initially—since soil organic matter primarily builds up over time with the decomposition of plant and animal material—the emerging soil would likely be rocky and poor in nutrients. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is B) The soil will be rocky and poor in nutrients.

As time progresses and the granite weathers further, gradual accumulation of organic matter from decomposing plants and animals could enrich the soil. Additionally, with weathering and influences from the environment, such as water movement and root action, the soil particles may become finer and more well-drained. However, in the early stages of soil formation from recently exposed granite, it is correct to expect the nutrient levels to be low and the soil texture to be rocky.