Short Answer 19.What is the composition of soil? Include efas (AKA what is it made nut of) 1. 2. 3. 4. 20. What are the three purticles sizes of soil IN ORDER from smallest to largest? 21. What pHdo plants prefer? 22. Are dirt and soil the same thing?Why or why not?

## Step1<br />Soil is a complex mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and a myriad of organisms that together support life on Earth. The composition of soil includes:<br />1. Mineral particles: These are the inorganic components of soil, which include sand, silt, and clay.<br />2. Organic matter: This is the decomposed remains of plants and animals, which provides nutrients to the soil.<br />3. Water: This is essential for the growth of plants and also helps in the transportation of nutrients within the soil.<br />4. Air: This is found in the spaces between soil particles and is necessary for the respiration of plant roots and soil organisms.<br /><br />## Step2<br />The three particle sizes of soil, in order from smallest to largest, are:<br />1. Clay: This is the smallest particle size, less than 0.002 mm.<br />2. Silt: This is larger than clay but smaller than sand, ranging from 0.002 to 0.05 mm.<br />3. Sand: This is the largest particle size, ranging from 0.05 to 2 mm.<br /><br />## Step3<br />Plants generally prefer a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. This range is considered neutral to slightly alkaline, which is ideal for most plants as it provides the right balance of acidity and alkalinity for nutrient absorption.<br /><br />## Step4<br />Dirt and soil are not the same thing. Soil is a complex mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and a myriad of organisms that together support life on Earth. Dirt, on the other hand, is simply disorganized soil that lacks the structure and composition of true soil. It is often used to refer to soil that is contaminated or lacks the necessary nutrients and structure to support plant growth.