Properties of Soil Review

Which of the following has the largest particle size?

• Sand

• Silt

• Clay

• Loam

Students tested the amount of water retained by different soils. They added equal amounts of water to each soil. To determine the amount of water that was retained by each soil, the student would...

• Add the amount of each soil sample to the volume of water poured in

• Divide the total volume of water poured in by the number of samples

• Subtract the volume of water collected from the volume poured in

• Multiply the volume of water poured in by the number of soil samples

Ellen grabs a topsoil sample in her hand. She rolls it into a ball. The soil feels gritty and the ball falls apart. What part of the topsoil most likely made the topsoil feel gritty and rough ?

• silt

• sand

• clay

• loam

Which model demonstrates a way to test properties of different soils to determine which type of soil best supports the growth of plants?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

This tool can be used to sort soil by particle size

• Sieve (Strainer)

• Graduated Cylinder

• Balance Scale

According to the diagram above, which soil retains the LEAST amount of water?

• Soil A

• Soil B

• Soil C

• Soil D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Students test the amount of water retained by different types of soil.  Equal amounts of soil were added to four funnels with filters, then the same volume of water was poured through  each soil sample.

To determine the amount of water retained by each soil sample, the student would

Answer

• Add the amount of each soil sample to the volume of water poured in.

• Divide the total volume of water poured in by the number of samples.

• Subtract the volume of water collected from the volume poured in

• Multiply the volume of water poured in by the number of soil samples.

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

A group of students wants to build a desert garden at school. They need soil that allows water to drain away easily for the desert plants in this garden. The students test different soils to determine how much water passes through and how much water remains in each soil as shown in the table. Based on the table, which types of soils are best to use to build the garden?

• Clay and sand

• Sand and gravel

• Gravel and silt

• Silt and clay

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

A student places 250 g samples of clay, sand, gravel, and silt in separate flower pots. The pots are set on a wire rack, and dishes are placed beneath the pots so that water can drip through holes and collect. The student then pours 100 mL of water over the sample in each pot. The student measures the time it takes for water to begin dripping from the bottom of each pot. What property of soils is the student most likely examining with this procedure?

• The differences in texture between wet and dry soils

• How well different soils retain water

• How much water is needed to dissolve different soils

• The amount of time it takes different soils to dry