Chapter 10 Soil and Glass Analysis

Which property of soil could students determine by rubbing a sample between their fingers?

• the texture of the soil

• the soil's ability to support life

• the color of the soil

• the processes that formed the soil

Students are placing different soil samples in front of a fan to see which kind of soil is moved most easily by wind. What piece of safety equipment would be most important during this investigation?

• fire extinguisher

• gloves

• goggles

• first-aid kit

Students poured 200 mL of water through a soil sample. They collected and measured the water that drained from the soil. The water collected had a volume of 110 mL. How much water did the soil retain?

• 100

• 90

• 80

• 70

Which of the following soil types has the largest particles and allows water to flow through it

easily?

• clay

• sand

• silt

• gravel

Which of the following is the BEST description of sand?

• It is tan. It feels gritty in your fingers.

• It is reddish brown. It sticks together when wet.

• It is light brown. It feels like flour. It is a fine powder.

• It is black. It holds a lot of water. It has many nutrients.

Which statement BEST describes the texture of soil that is rich in nutrients?

• hard and dry

• fine and sticky

• coarse and rocky

• soft and crumbly

A student added a soil sample to a clear glass container, and then added 10 mL of water to the container. The water ran completely through the soil and pooled at the bottom of the container. The soil looks like dark-colored chunks. It is soft and crumbly. Which of the following BEST describes the soil in the container?

• the soil is mostly clay

• the soil is mostly sand

• the soil is mostly plant matter

• the soil is mostly large rock

A student added a soil sample to a clear glass container, and then added 10 mL of water to the container. The water mostly pooled on top of the soil in the container. Which of the following BEST describes the soil in the container?

• the soil is mostly clay

• the soil is mostly sand

• the soil is mostly plant matter

• the soil is mostly large rock

A student added a soil sample to a clear glass container, and then added 10 mL of water to the container. The water ran completely through the soil and pooled at the bottom of the container. The soil appeared to have small light-colored grains. Which of the following BEST describes the soil in the container?

• the soil is mostly clay

• the soil is mostly sand

• the soil is mostly plant matter

• the soil is mostly large rock