which of the following factors does not affect soil formation?
a. precipitation
b. time
c. erosion
d. none of the above

The correct answer is: None of the above

Soil formation is affected by many factors that include time, climate (temperature, precipitation), relief, mineral organic materials.

•Precipitation is part of the climatic factors. Precipitation refers to the amount of water (in the form of rain, snow) that a soil gets. Thus, it is one of the most important factor that determinates the formation and characteristics of soil. Precipitation affects both, the amount of erosion and weathering (breakdown of rocks and soil) that occurs.

•Time. It refers to changes of soil as it age. For example, older soils contain more organic matter and are more exposed to moisture and other environmental factors that may change their features.

•Erosion is removal and transportation of material from the Earth’s crust as a consequence of natural processes such as wind or rainfall. Because it includes the removal of the soil it affects its formation.

The correct answer is option D, none of these

Reason -

There are five essential factors that affect the soil formation namely – Material from which soil is formed, climate, topography, organisms and time. Climatic conditions such as changing weather, rain, extreme wind etc. helps in the disintegration of rock particles into smaller pieces. Time is important as the disintegration of rock for a longer period of time results into finer soil. Also the parent rock’s characteristic forms the basis of character defining of soil produced. Organisms especially the microorganism  helps in the biological disintegration of rock and lastly topography also defines the rock type and the soil produced.