Question

How do scientists measure the porosity of soil?

Answer 1

1. Particles of all sorts and sizes make up soil. Pore space refers to the area between particles.
2. The quantity of water that a specific volume of soil can store depends on the amount of pore space.
3. The pores in the spoil are what define it as porous.
4. A proportion of the total volume of the soil material is used to measure a soil's porosity.
5. Porosity is a crucial indicator in locations where groundwater reserves supply drinking water.

Steps to find the porosity:

1. 200 ml of sand, 200 ml of clay, and 200 ml of tiny pebbles should each be placed in a separate measuring cup.
2. 100 cc of water should be added to a graduated cylinder.
3. Pour the water into the first cup slowly and carefully until it barely touches the sand's surface.
4. Pour cautiously to avoid spilling any liquid into the measuring cup. Keep track of the precise amount of water utilized.
5. To get the sand's percent porosity, use the formula below:

$\mathrm{Porosity}=(\mathrm{Amount}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{water}\mathrm{added}\mathrm{to}\mathrm{sample}÷\mathrm{Total}\mathrm{sample}\mathrm{volume})\mathrm{x}100$