Soil Percolation Lab Quiz: Trivia!

Adhesion is the attraction between different molecules, such as water and soil particles. In silt and clay soils, the small particles have a high surface area, allowing for more adhesion between the soil particles and water molecules. This strong attraction between the soil and water molecules causes the water to be held by force, resulting in slower percolation through the soil.

Sediment is considered soil under water because it is found in various aquatic environments, such as the bottom of oceans, lakes, and river beds. This sediment consists of particles that have been eroded and transported by water, similar to how soil is formed on land. Therefore, sediment can be considered as underwater soil due to its widespread presence and similar formation processes.

The terms "gritty, grainy, and coarse" best describe the classroom substrate sample because these terms indicate that the sample has a rough texture and contains larger particles.

Clay is the correct answer because it has very small particles that are closely packed together, creating a tight structure. This structure allows for the least amount of water to pass through, making it less permeable. Additionally, the small particle size of clay allows it to retain or pond the most water, as the water is trapped between the particles and cannot easily drain away.

The terms "spongy, soft, earthy, twiggy" best describe the classroom substrate sample. These terms suggest that the sample is soft and easily compressible, with a texture similar to that of a sponge. It also has an earthy smell and contains small twigs or plant material.

The correct answer describes the porosity of the set of soil particles as "not porous, densely packed, uniform grain size." This means that the soil particles are tightly packed together and do not have any open spaces or pores. Additionally, the grain size of the particles is consistent and uniform.

The diagram shows that soil includes four main ingredients: minerals, organic matter, water, and air. The largest percentage of soil is made up of minerals, as indicated by the diagram.

The terms "sticky" and "muddy" suggest that the clay sample has a high moisture content and is likely to adhere to surfaces. The term "tiny grained" indicates that the clay particles are small in size. These characteristics are commonly associated with clay, making the answer "Sticky, muddy, tiny grained" the most appropriate choice.

The sediment grain size for #1 is coarse sand because it is larger than fine sand, silt, and clay. Coarse sand typically has a grain size ranging from 2 to 0.25 millimeters, making it larger than the other options.

The correct answer is "Porous, void space, packed large grain size." This answer describes soil particles that have a large grain size, allowing for void spaces or gaps between the particles. These void spaces contribute to the porosity of the soil, making it porous. Additionally, the particles are packed tightly together, indicating that the soil is densely packed.

The given correct answer for the question describes the classroom substrate sample, Dune Sand, as small grained and light weight. This suggests that the sand particles in the sample are small in size and the overall sample is lightweight in nature.

Loam/peat is the correct answer because it has the ability to percolate quickly, allowing water to drain through it easily. At the same time, it can retain moisture and nutrients, providing a suitable habitat for plants and organisms. This type of substrate strikes a balance between drainage and water retention, making it ideal for supporting various forms of life on a barrier island.

The correct answer is "Bottom material organisms live in or on." This answer accurately defines substrate as the material at the bottom of the ocean where organisms live or attach themselves to. It implies that substrate provides a habitat for various ocean organisms and supports their survival and growth.

The correct answer is silt because it is a sediment grain size that falls between the sizes of fine sand and clay. Silt particles are larger than clay particles but smaller than sand particles. They have a smooth texture and can be easily transported by water. Silt is commonly found in riverbeds and floodplains.

The sediment grain size #3 is clay. Clay particles are the smallest in size, measuring less than 0.002 mm. They have a smooth and sticky texture, and can easily be molded when wet. Clay is commonly found in areas with low energy environments such as lakes and swamps, where fine particles settle and accumulate over time. It is important in various industries such as ceramics and construction due to its ability to retain water and its plasticity when moist.

Coarse sand allows water to consistently pass through the quickest without absorbing the water. This is because the larger particles in coarse sand create larger pore spaces, allowing water to flow through more easily. In contrast, clay, fine sand, silt, and loam/peat have smaller particles and smaller pore spaces, which slow down water movement and increase water absorption.

The correct answer is "Air & Water". In soil, air and water are both present in equal percentages. Air is important for providing oxygen to the roots of plants, while water is necessary for plant growth and nutrient uptake. These two ingredients are essential for maintaining a healthy soil environment for plants to thrive.

The term "silt" refers to fine particles of soil or sediment that are smaller than sand but larger than clay. These particles are smooth, slippery, and soft to the touch. Unlike clay, silt is not sticky. Therefore, the terms "smooth, slippery, soft, not sticky" best describe the classroom substrate sample.

Soil is a complex mixture of weathered rock particles and decayed organic matter. Weathered rock refers to rocks that have been broken down into smaller particles through physical and chemical processes. Organic matter, on the other hand, is composed of decomposed plant and animal material. The combination of these components gives soil its unique properties and ability to support plant growth.

The correct answer is "Low porosity, mixed grain sizes". This means that the soil particles have a small amount of empty space between them and they have different sizes. This combination of low porosity and mixed grain sizes suggests that the soil is compacted and the spaces between the particles are not well connected, resulting in limited water and air flow through the soil.

Silt is the correct answer because it is a fine substrate that retains moisture without becoming squishy. It also has the ability to filter water through when wet. Coarse sand would not retain moisture as well, clay would become squishy when wet, and fine sand may not filter water effectively. Loam/peat is not mentioned in the question and therefore cannot be the correct answer.