* Igneous rocks: Formed from cooled magma or lava, like granite and basalt.
* Sedimentary rocks: Formed from sediments like sand, silt, and clay, like sandstone and limestone.
* Metamorphic rocks: Formed when existing rocks are transformed by heat and pressure, like marble and slate.
The process of breaking down rocks into soil is called weathering, which can be caused by:
* Physical weathering: Mechanical forces like freezing/thawing, abrasion, and plant roots.
* Chemical weathering: Chemical reactions like oxidation, acid rain, and hydrolysis.
The type of rock and the weathering processes involved determine the composition and characteristics of the resulting soil.
