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% on =
.c
.c
% ro =
. c
. c
% = .%
Conclusion: The percentage oI stones is 3.85, sand is 20.77, clay is 33.08 and gravel is
42.31.
3. DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT OF SOIL
Apparatus : Aluminum Ioil pie dish
Balance
Oven
Desiccators
Tongs
Thermometer
Material : 80 gm soil
Procedure : (a) Weigh an aluminum Ioil pie dish while still empty. Record the mass (a).
(b) Add the broken-up soil sample to the pie dish and weigh. Record the
mass.
(c) Place the pie dish containing the soil sample in the oven at 110 C Ior 24
hours.
(d) Remove the sample Irom the oven and cool in a desiccators.
(e) Weigh the sample when cool, and record the mass.
(I) Return the sample to the oven at 110 C Ior a Iurther 24 hours.
(g) Repeat stages (d) and (e) until consistent weighings are recorded (constant
mass). Record the mass (c).
(h) Calculate the percentage water content as Iollows:
I c
I o
%
(i) Retain the soil sample in the desiccators Ior experiment 4.
Formula :
% or conn so =
o or
o so sop
%
Results:
Sample 1 2 3 4 Average
Mass oI
aluminium
Ioil(pie dish
only) (grams)
2.22 2.22 2.25 2.27 2.24
Mass oI
aluminium
Ioil(empty)
broken up soil
sample(grams)
78.70 71.24 82.06 81.96 78.49
Mass aIter
heated(grams)
58.53 61.43 66.21 64.46 62.66
Percentage oI
water content
oI soil()
19.86 14.21 26.37 21.96 20.60
% or conn (rop ) =
8. .
8. .
% = 9.8%
% or conn (rop ) =
. .
. .
% = .%
% or conn (rop ) =
8. 8.
8. .
% = .%
% or conn (rop ) =
8.9 .
8.9 .
% = .9%
ro % o or conn o so =
9.8 + . + . +.9
= . %
Conclusion: The percentage oI the water content in the soil sample is 20.60.
4. DETERMINATION OF ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT.
Apparatus : Desiccators and lid
Tripod
Bunsen burner
Asbestos mat
Fireclay triangle tongs
Material : Dried soil sample
Procedure : (a) Heat the crucible and lid strongly in the Bunsen Flame to remove
all traces oI moisture. Place in the desiccators to cool. Weigh and
record the mass (a).
(b) Add the dried soil sample (kept Irom the previous experiment )
Irom the desiccators and weigh. Record the mass (b).
(c) Heat the soil sample in the crucible, covered with the lid, to red-
heat Ior 1 hour to burn oII all the organic matter. Allow to cool Ior 10
min and remove to the desiccators.
(d) Weigh the crucible and sample when cool.
(e) Repeat (c) and (d) until constant mass is recorded.
(I) Calculate the percentage oI organic content as Iollow :
I c
I o
%
%g) Repeat the experiment on soil samples taken Irom diIIerent area to
demonstrate variation oI organic content.
Formula :
% o oronc coponn =
o oronc or
o so sop
Result :
Group 1 2 3 4
Initial mass of
crucible
(grams)
[a]
13.19 18.85 17.35 15.18
Mass of crucible
soil sample
(grams)
[b]
20.06 24.79 23.67 23.56
Mass after heated
(grams)
[c]
19.75 23.86 23.06 22.83
Percentage of
organic component
()
4.51 15.66 9.65 8.71
ro % o oronc coponn =
. +. + 9. + 8.
= 9. %
Conclusion : The percentage oI the organic matter in the soil sample is 9.63.
% o or conn (rop ) =
9c
3
c
3
% = .%
% o or conn (rop ) =
c
3
c
3
% = .8%
% o or conn (rop ) =
c
3
c
3
% = .%
ro % o or conn o so =
. + .8 +.
= . %
Conclusion : The percentage volume oI air in the soil sample is 33.24. Hence, it is
suitable Ior organisms to live.
6. Determination oI soil pH
Apparatus : Long test-tube
Test tube rack
Spatula
c
3
pipette
Material : Universal indicator
Procedure : (a) Add about c
3
oI soil to the test-tube and c
3
oI barium sulphate,
which ensures Ilocculation oI colloidal clay.
(b) Add c
3
oI distilled water and c
3
oI BHD universal indicator
solution. Seal the test tube with the bung. Shake vigorously and allow
contents to settle Ior 5 min.
(c) Compare the colour oI liquid in the test tube with the colour on the BHD
reIerence colour chart and read oII the corresponding pH.
(d) Repeat the experiment on soil samples Irom diIIerent areas.
Result :
$oil $ample 1
pH 6
Conclusion : The pH oI the soil is 6. This shows that the soil is slightly acidic.