Final answer:
To calculate the percolation rate, find the volume of water passed through the soil sample and the time it took. The percolation rate is the volume of water per unit area per unit time. The percolation rate is 0.500 mL/cm²/minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the percolation rate, we need to find the volume of water that passed through the soil sample and the time it took. The percolation rate is defined as the volume of water per unit area per unit time.
First, we need to convert the radius of the percolation tube from cm to mm. The radius is 4.5 cm, which is equal to 45 mm.
The area of the tube is calculated using the formula A = πr², where r is the radius. So, the area of the tube is A = π(45)² = 6349.62 mm².
Now, let's calculate the volume of water that passed through the soil sample. The height of water poured is given as 50 mm. The volume of water is calculated using the formula V = Ah, where A is the area of the tube and h is the height of water. So, the volume of water is V = 6349.62 mm² * 50 mm = 317,481 mm³.
Next, we need to convert the volume of water from mm³ to cm³. Since 1 cm³ = 1000 mm³, the volume of water is 317,481 mm³ / 1000 = 317.481 cm³.
Finally, we need to find the percolation rate in mL/cm²/minute. The time it took for the water to disappear from the surface of the soil is given as 10 seconds. So, the percolation rate is calculated using the formula percolation rate = volume / area / time. Substituting the values, we get percolation rate = 317.481 cm³ / 6349.62 mm² / 10 seconds = 0.500 mL/cm²/minute.
Therefore, the percolation rate is 0.500 mL/cm²/minute, which is closest to option A) 2.36 mL/cm²/minute.