Which of the Following Soil Minerals is Most Likely Leached

Question

Which of the following soil minerals is most likely leached away during a hard rain?
A) Na⁺
B) K⁺
C) Ca⁺⁺
D) NO₃⁻
E) H⁺

Accepted Answer

NO₃⁻ is a negatively charged ion and is therefore easily washed away by water. It is also highly soluble in water and is commonly found in the soil as a result of decomposition of organic matter or from the use of fertilizers. The other ions listed (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺⁺, and H⁺) are either less soluble or have a positive charge, which makes them less likely to be leached away during a hard rain.