Question

A soil was tested for Plastic Limit. The two Plastic Limit determinations had water contents of 23.1% and 23.6%. What is the Plastic Limit of soil (average)?

A. 23.1%
B. 23.4%
C. 23.6%
D. 46.7%

Answer 1

The average Plastic Limit of the soil is found by averaging the two water content values, which is (23.1% + 23.6%) / 2, resulting in a Plastic Limit of 23.4%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Plastic Limit of soil can be determined by averaging the water content values obtained from the Plastic Limit tests. In the provided scenario, two determinations were made, yielding water contents of 23.1% and 23.6%. To calculate the average Plastic Limit, you add these two percentages together and then divide by the number of determinations, which is 2 in this case. The calculation would be as follows:

(23.1% + 23.6%) / 2 = 46.7% / 2 = 23.35%

The average is 23.35%, and since we need to report this to the nearest tenth as per significant figures practice, it rounds up to 23.4%. Therefore, the answer for the average Plastic Limit of the soil is B. 23.4%.