Segment One: Weathering and Soils
This video segment examines the physical and chemical processes that convert minerals within rocks to soil. Students learn about physical weathering, which breaks rocks into small pieces while increasing the surface area available for chemical weathering. The video also illustrates the chemical weathering processes including solution, oxidation and hydration. Students learn about the development of soil profiles. The video also shows examples of use and misuse of soil. Students see the damage that occurs when houses are built on the wrong type of soil. Dust bowl conditions and gullying are shown as examples of the misuse of land. Finally, this video presents students with good conservation practices including sediment traps and strip cropping.