SO 1100 (Principles of Soil Science Laboratory)

ASSIGNMENT
1. Determine the dispersive agents needed to remove the binding agents
prior to mechanical analysis

Cementing Agent Dispersion Agent

Organic Matter Ammonia/Sodium Hydroxide

Oxides of Fe and Al Solvent
Electrolytes Calgon
Cohesion/Adhesion Water/Liquid

2. Using stokes’ law, calculate the settling velocity of 0.2 mm and 0.002 mm
size particles in a dilute water suspension at 20 C.  o

v = d2g(Ds-Dl) / 18u

v1 = (.0002 m)2 * 9.81 N/kg * (2,650 kg/m3 – 1,000 kg/m3) / 18 * .001 N-s/m2
v1 = .03597
v1 = .036 m/s

v2 = (2x10-6 m)2 * 9.81 N/kg * (2,650 kg/m3 – 1,000 kg/m3) / 18 * .001 N-s/m2
v2 = 3.597x10-6
v2 = 3.6x10-6 m/s

3. Using stokes’ law, calculate the time needed for sand particle to settle out
a depth of 20 cm in an aqueous suspension at 20 C. (for items 2 and 3, g=
o

9.81 N/kg; viscosity of suspension=1/1000 N-s/m ; density of solid

2

particle=2.65 g/cm ; density of fluid=1.0 g/cm )

3 3

t = d18u / d2g(Ds-Dl)

t1 = (.20 m*18 *.001 N-s/m2) / (.0002)2 m*9.81 N/kg*(2,650 kg/m3 – 1,000 kg/m3)
t1 = 5.56 s.

t2 = (.20 m*18 *.001 N-s/m2) / (2x10-6)2 m*9.81 N/kg*(2,650 kg/m3 – 1,000 kg/m3)
t2 = .055
t2 = 55,601.89 s. or 15.44 hrs.

4. Using the constant values in items 2 and 3, calculate the value of the
sedimentation constant (k) in the compressed version of the law, v=kd . 2

k = v / d2

k1 =.036 m/s / .00022 m

k1 = 900,000 or 9x105 units

k2 = 3.6x10-6 m/s / 2x10-6x2 m

k2 = 900,000 or 9x105 units

SIASON, LAURENCE ALLYSON M.

 SO 1100 (Principles of Soil Science Laboratory)

5. Determine the textural class designations for soil with the following
distributions of particles sizes

<0.0002 0.0002-0.002 0.002-0.01 0.01-0.05 0.05-0.25 0.25-2.0 mm

A 5% 10% 20% 25% 20% 20%
B 6% 9% 30% 30% 15% 10%
C 10% 30% 30% 10% 10% 10%
D 4% 6% 10% 20% 30% 30%
Soil textural classification
A= Loam
B= Silt Loam
C= Silty Clay
D= Sandy Loam

SIASON, LAURENCE ALLYSON M.