Physical Properties of Soil

Different kinds of materials were mixed with 100 grams of garden soil. An equal amount of water was added to each mixture. Which of these was this investigation designed to answer?

• How well each material mixes with garden soil

• How well each mixture holds water

• How well each material supports plants

• How well each mixture keeps its texture when wet

Which of the following soils would be best for growing bean plants?

• A   Sandy soil with big rocks

• B   Loam that contains humus

• C   Gravel and rocky soil

• D   Clay soil that contains sand

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following has the GREATEST effect on the ability of soil to retain water?    

• A  The age of the soil particles

• B    The size of the soil particles

• C    The color of the soil particles

• D    The luster of the soil particles

Through which type of soil will water move most quickly?  

• A  Sandy soil with large pores

• B    Humus soil with small pores

• C    Clay soil with tiny pores

• D    Solid rock with no pores

According to the soil profile pictured to the right, in which layer are most of the soil’s nutrients MOST LIKELY found?

• A  Layer 1

• B  Layer 2

• C  Layer 3

• D  Layer 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Students are investigated properties of soil.  They picked up the soil and rubbed it back and forth between their fingers.  They noticed the soil was made of many different sized particles and felt smooth.Which property of soil are the students examining?

• A. Color

• B. Mass

• C. Fragrance

• D. Texture

Tags

NGSS.5-PS1-3

Which of the following has the greatest effect on soil’s capacity to retain water?

• A. soil color

• B. soil texture

• C. soil density

• d. soil structure

Generally, fine-textured soils are characterized to have

• a. low water holding capacity

• b. high ability to supply plant nutrients

• c. low total surface area

• d. high percolation rate

The relative distribution of sand, silt, and clay is called soil __________.

• a. Texture

• b. Structure

• c. Cation Exchange Capacity

• d. pH

Soil texture refers to the coarseness or fineness of a soil

• a. sand is gritty

• b. silt is sticky and plastic

• c. clay is smooth

• d. all of the above