topsoil
clay
silt
the remains of decayed plants or animals in the soil
A characteristic of matter that you can observe or measure directly
a combination of two or more different substances that keep their identities
mixture
soil
weathering
Particles of rock that are smaller than sand but larger than clay
To be slowly broken down by the natural processes that destroy a plant or body
The breaking down of rocks on Earth’s surface into smaller pieces
physical property
sand
The upper layer of soil in which plants have most of their roots
decay
humus
A mixture of water, air, tiny pieces of rock, and humus
The smallest particles of rock that make up soil
The largest particles of rock that make up soil
