Question

If a 100g sample of soil absorbs 20mL of water, the percentage of moisture absorption is ___%.

• A. 15
• B. 30
• C. 20
• D. 40

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

20

The percentage of water absorption is given by:

Percentage of water absorption = $\frac{\text{Weight of water absorbed in grams}}{\text{Weight of soil in grams}}\times 100$

It is given that the weight of soil taken is 100g. Also the volume of water absorbed is 20mL. But to find the percentage, we need the weight of water.

1mL of water weighs 1g. So, 20mL of water weighs 20g.

$\therefore$ Percentage of water absorption = $\frac{20g}{100g}\times 100$ = 20%