Question

Soil is composed of various materials, such as gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic material. Each of these substances creates a variety of different soil conditions. Different soil compositions have different properties, which affect water capacity. One of these soil properties is grain size.

Gravel is greater than 2 mm
Sand is 0.5 - 2.0 mm
Silt is 0.002 - 0.005 mm
Clay is less than 0.002 mm


Answer these questions.

A. A soil composed of which particle on the chart would be least effective in allowing water to pass through it?

B. Explain how soil grain size can affect water storage capacity in soils.

C. Explain why a soil composed of a combination of the grains shown would be a better soil for plants than a soil composed of just one type of grain.

D. What purpose does sand serve when mixed with a soil that is made mostly of clay?

Answer 1

Clay soil is least effective in allowing water to pass through due to its small grain size. Soil grain size affects the soil's water retention and drainage capacity, with sandy soils draining quickly and clay retaining more water. A loamy soil with a blend of different particle sizes offers optimal growing conditions for plants.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Soil Properties and Water Capacity

A soil composed of which particle on the chart would be least effective in allowing water to pass through it? The answer is clay. Clay has the smallest grain size, which means that it has many small, tightly packed particles that can hold water but impede its flow.

How does soil grain size affect water storage capacity in soils? Soil grain size affects water storage capacity because different sized particles create various sizes of pore spaces. Sand has larger particles and thus larger pore spaces, allowing for more water to pass through quickly. Conversely, clay soils have many small spaces, which retain water more effectively but slow down water movement.

Why would a combination of grains be beneficial for plant soil? Soils composed of a mixture of grain sizes, such as sandy soils, silt, clay, and organic matter, known as loams, are often the best for plants. These soils have a balance of water retention and drainage that supports healthy plant growth.

What purpose does sand serve when mixed with soil that is made mostly of clay? Adding sand to clay soil improves drainage and aeration, preventing water from pooling and root rot in plants.

Answer 2

Soil is composed of various materials, such as gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic material. Each of these substances creates a variety of different soil conditions. Different soil compositions have different properties, which affect water capacity. One of these soil properties is grain size.

Gravel is greater than 2 mm
Sand is 0.5 - 2.0 mm
Silt is 0.002 - 0.005 mm
Clay is less than 0.002 mm


Answer these questions.

A. A soil composed of which particle on the chart would be least effective in allowing water to pass through it?

B. Explain how soil grain size can affect water storage capacity in soils.

C. Explain why a soil composed of a combination of the grains shown would be a better soil for plants than a soil composed of just one type of grain.

D. What purpose does sand serve when mixed with a soil that is made mostly of clay?