Hadji Basit Study Guide 3

Name: Jonabel M.
Hadji Basit Section: SSC001 - DdEe
Chapter 3 Study Guide:
Study Guide:
1. A 203-cm3 soil weighed 312g when moist. After oven drying, its weight was reduced by
40g. Assuming that rb/rp = 0.53, (rb/rp= Bulk density/particle density), calculate the
following:
a. Bulk density
Ws
Answer: BD =
Vt
272 g
=
203 cm 3
= 1.33 g/cm3
Therefore, the bulk density is 1.33 g/cm3.
b. Particle Density
Answer: PD = 2.50 g/cm3 (Based on the consideration when particle density is

unknown)
Therefore, the particle density is 2.50 g/cm3
c. % solid
BD
Answer: % solid space = x 100
PD
1.33 g/cm 3
= 3 x 100
2,50 g /cm
= 0.53 x 100
= 53 %
Therefore, we have solid of ever 53% in the soil.
d. aeration porosity
Va
Answer: Ea = x 100
Vt
0.0326 cm3
= x 100
203 cm3
= 0.016%
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Therefore, we have 0.016% of aeration porosity in the soil.
e. % pore spaces
Answer: % pore spaces = 100 -% solid space

= 100 – 53
= 47%
Therefore, we have 47% for pore spaces.
f. % moisture content
FW −ODW
Answer: Θ= x 100
ODW
312 g−272 g
= x 100
272 g
40 g
= x 100
272 g
= 0.147 x 100
= 14.71 %
Therefore, the soil has 14.71% moisture content.
g. % volumetric moisture content
Vw
Answer: Θv = x 100
Vt
3
40 cm
= 3 x 100
203 cm
= 19.7 %
Therefore, the soil has 19.7% volumetric moisture content.
h. void ratio
Pp
Answer: e= –1
Pb
2.50 g /cm3
= –1
1.33 g /cm 3
= 1.87 – 1
= 0.87
Therefore, the void ratio is 0.87.
i. height of water, if hs is 20 cm
Answer: P = hdg
= (20cm)(1g/cm3)(980dynes/g)
= 19600 dynes/cm2
Therefore, there is 19600 dynes/cm3 water pressure at 20cm height of water.
j. degree of saturation
Θv
Answer: %s = x 100
PS
0.197
= x 100
0.47
= 41.9%
Therefore, the degree of saturation is 41.9%.
2. A soil was determined to have the following properties:
FC = 30% by mass Soil depth = 20 cm

WC = 15% by mass Bulk density = 1.35 g/cm3
a) Calculate the weight of 1ha of soil plowed to a depth of 20 cm.
Answer: To find the weight of 1 ha soil plowed of 20cm, we convert first the ha into cm2.
100000000 cm 2
1 ha x = 100000000 cm2, now that we have obtained the area, we will
1 ha
multiply this to the depth of the soil plowed which is 20 cm to get the volume of the soil.
100000000 cm2 x 20 cm = 2000000000 cm3, now that we obtained the volume of the soil,
we will then multiply this to the bulk density of the soil which is 1.35 g/cm3.
2000000000 cm3 x 1.35 g/cm3 = 2700000000 g or 2700000 kg.
Therefore, the weight of 1 ha of soil plowed to a depth of 20 cm is 2700000 kg.
b. If you were to irrigate the first 30 cm depth of soil,

b1. Calculate the amount of water (in cm) that you must apply if the field moisture content is
20%.
( FW −FMC ) x SD
Answer: Amount of water =
100
(30−20)( 30CM )
=
100
300 cm
=
100
= 3 cm
Therefore, the amount of water that we must apply if the field moisture content is 20% is 3
cm.
b2. If the field grown to corn, which is by visual observation is now wilting permanently,
how much water will you apply to attain the moisture content at field capacity.
WC x BD x M s
Answer: Amount of water =
100
(15)(1.35 g /cm3)(2700000000 g)
=
100
3
54675000000 cm
=
100
= 546750000cm3 or 546750000mL
Therefore, there is 546750000mL of water that will be applied to attain the moisture content
at field capacity.
3. The moisture content of the soil was found to be 25%. What is the weight of the moist
soil if the oven dry weight is 600g?
Answer: Moisture Content = 25% = 0.25

Ms = 600g
Mw = ?
We will use the formula of moisture content and derive this:

Mw Θ x Mw
Θ= x 100 into Mw =
Ms 100
(25)(600 g)
MS =
100
15000 g
=
100
= 150g
Therefore, the weight of the moist soil is 150g.
4. The soil has the following characteristics:
Hygroscopic coefficient 9%
Field capacity 44%
Wilting coefficient 24%
Bulk density 1.30 g/cm3
Considering the first 30 cm of the soil in the field, calculate the following in cm of water.
a) Total available water
Answer: To find the total available water, we use the formula;
( FC −WC ) SD
TAW =
100
( 44−24 )( 30 cm)
=
100
(20)(30 cm)
=
100
600 cm
=
100
= 6 cm
Therefore, the total available water in cm is 6.
b) Amount of water needed to bring the moisture content from hygroscopic coefficient to
60% of the total available water.
Answer: To find the amount of water needed to bring the moisture content from hygroscopic
coefficient to 60% of the total available water, we have,
HC x (TAW + SD)
Amount of water =
100
(9)(6 cm+30 cm)
=
100
324 cm
=
100
= 3.24 cm
Therefore, the amount of water needed to bring the moisture content is 3.24 cm.
5. What are the agronomic impacts of soil texture and surface area? Describe effects of soil
texture on other soil properties and processes relevant to (a) agronomic, (b) engineering,
and (c) industrial uses.
Answer: Soil texture and surface area could provide impacts on agronomy. Agronomy is a
branch of agricultural science which deals on land management and utilization of natural
resources. In connection to this, we know that soil texture and surface area are interrelated.
Fine-textured soil would create good surface area than the coarse-textured soil. Soil texture
and surface area can give impacts to agronomy positively and negatively, depending on how
the texture of a soil would be developed. The agronomic impacts of soil texture and surface
area can be varied from the development or the production of crops which are very important
part of agronomy, the permeability and retention of fluids that may affect the soil run-offs or
erosions and the suitability for other related farming systems. In addition to this, soil texture
can affect other soil properties and process relevant to;
a) Agronomy – Soil texture can affect the structure, porosity, water or aeration and
temperature of the soil which are relevant to agronomy. These properties are
considered to be affecting factors to the behavior of agronomy. Structure of the soil is
important to the crop production in agronomy. Porosity is also important in the
movement of water and the aeration in soil. These fluids also determine the
temperature in soil. Thus, these properties are important in stability of a soil and in
plant growth. Although, these properties are affected with the texture that the soil has.
If the texture of the soil is not good, soil structure will be poor, water and aeration
process will not be good as well due to poor porosity of the soil and when water and
air cannot move efficiently in soil, temperature is then affected. These processes are
interconnected. This is how soil texture affects other properties or process that are
relevant to agronomy.
b) Engineering – Soil texture can affect the consistency and drainage capacity of the soil
that are very important in the field of engineering. We know that soil texture indicates
the porosity of the soil by the particle sizes, the drainage capacity of the soil will be
poorer if the porosity of the soil is not high. The compaction of the soil would
determine the soil consistency as well. Soil texture affects the compaction of soil
particles. Soil can remain resisting from erosions or its stability will be high if the soil
texture of the soil is good. In engineering, the capability of the soil to hold building
materials are important. This is how we can describe the effects of soil texture on the
other soil properties and processes relevant to engineering.
c) Industrial Uses- The effects of soil texture on the other soil properties and processes
relevant to industrial uses have similarities in agronomy and engineering. Foods,
clothes, building materials, medicines and many more industrial products can be
traced back to the plants. As soil texture affects the other soil properties such as soil
structure, soil porosity or soil water and aeration which are very important in plant
growth, industrial uses may be affected. Furthermore, use of soil for industrial
purposes like parks require the soil consistency as well. As soil texture affects soil
consistency, parks or other spots that involves the capability of soil to hold buildings
may be affected greatly. This is how we can describe the effects of soil texture on the
other soil properties and processes relevant to industrial uses.
6. Briefly describe some applications of Stokes law in natural and altered ecosystems.
Answer: The application of the Stokes law in natural and ecosystem would be described as
the separation of soil particles in a certain scenario. In Stokes law, it is considered that
viscosity of the liquid and the density and size of the particles may affect the velocity of the
particles to settle down. The best example for the application of Stokes law in a natural
ecosystem is the natural water forms compared to a quicksand. The viscosity of a quicksand
is very high unlike to water. If we sink down an object in water, it is noticeable that the object
will settle fast. On the other hand, if we sink down an object in a quicksand, it will take a lot
of time before the object finally settles down. Thus, viscosity in these parts of a natural
ecosystem plays a role. For an altered ecosystem, let us consider the run-offs that would end
up to a pond. As soil particles erode to the pond, it is expected for these particles to settle
down with different velocity. According to Stokes law, larger size of particles is expected to
settles faster in the pond than the smaller size. Thus, size plays a role in this scenario. This is
how we can describe some applications of Stokes law in natural and altered ecosystems.
7. Describe the term “sustainable use of soil and water resources.” How do charged
properties of soil relate to water quality and filtration attributes of soil?
Answer: “Sustainable use of soil and water resources” is a term that implies the practices we
utilize to maintain the soil and water resources to the best we can while consuming them. We
can say that by adapting such agroforestry practices, prevention of massive tillage operation,
proper handling of water resources or envisioning the possible consequences of our actions
toward environmental resources can be beneficial to sustain soil and water resources. Plus,
soil is nonrenewable resources and water has been largely consumed at most instances. Thus,
we have to protect the soil and water at all costs as we take advantage of it. In connection to
this, charged properties of can relate to water quality and filtration attributes of soil. When
soil is seemed to be developed well, it acts as a sponge that will purify the water. It filters out
the water. Whenever water that carries pollutants move throughout the soil, the pollutants are
not able to infiltrate in the micropores of soil. Thus, water is cleaned physically. As a result,
the water quality will get better. This is how charged properties of soil relate to water quality
and filtration attributes of soil.
8. Jack (1963) stated that soil structure is as important as photosynthesis. List reasons in
justification of this statement.
Answer: The reasons that will justify the statement of Jack (1963) that soil structure is as
important as photosynthesis are the following:
 Firstly, soil structure allows water penetration and this is important to the growth of
plant. Just like photosynthesis, soil structure can also act as factor of plant’s healthy
growth.
 Second is that soil structure can also protect the plants from surface run-offs or
erosions. When the structure of soil is well-developed, the surface area would be good
which will be advantageous from resistance to run-offs.
 Lastly, good soil structure can help to retain nutrients and water that are readily
provided to the roots of plants.
With the cited reasons, these strongly justify that soil structure is advantageous to the
survival of plants just as how photosynthesis help plants to survive. Hence, Jack is right
indeed that soil structure is as important as photosynthesis.
9. In what ways may the projected global climate change affect soil structure in (a)
temperate and (b) tropical climates?
Answer: Soil structure is affected by the projected global climate change in many ways.
a.) For temperate climate, this climate is characterized by moderate temperature.
Temperature may change greatly in this climate between summer and winter.
Temperate climate change affects the soil structure in different ways. First, during
summer season, organic matter is known to be decomposed easier in warmer
temperature, accelerates the nutrient distribution and may contribute to microbial
activities. Organic matter is a major factor in the development of a good soil
structure. Secondly, winter season can affect the soil structure. The decomposition of
organic matter will slow down. Frost may begin to develop in soil and nutrients in
soil may be affected. As a result, soil structure will be poorer in cooler climate.
b.) In tropical climate, this climate is characterized by wet and dry season. Mostly, soil
structure in tropical climate zone is expected to be better. Although, leaching may
happen in soil during dry season. Unlike to temperate climate, dry season in tropical
climate would be warmer than the average temperature that the soil needs. Nutrients
and water may easily get dried out and leached. However, microbial activities and
decomposition of organic matters are eased. To add more, rainfall in wet season is
indispensable as well. We know that rainfall does not only contribute to the
weathering of rocks and minerals but it also helps in plant production of organic
matters, thus, soil organic matter increases. Furthermore, not only plant residues are
increasing during rainfall but other residues as well. Soil structure will improve
further with the help of rainfall as organic matters increase. Thus, tropical climate
affects the soil structure.
10. Describe the agronomic significance of the upper and lower plastic limits, and of the
plasticity index.
Answer: Upper and lower plastic limits are significant in agronomy because it will help a lot
in farming systems. We know that land management, utilization of natural resources and crop
production are present in agronomy. Farmers tend to prepare the soil for farming. Hence,
operations may be applied. To elucidate the subject, upper limit is the water content where
soil changes from liquid state into plastic state. On the other hand, lower plastic limit is the
water content in which soil may change from plastic state into a semisolid state. These limits
affect the soil consistency. Furthermore, plasticity index indicates how soil may deform its
normal shape without altering its volume. It also tells us how soil may change its state when
a certain force is applied to the soil. Thus, it is very significant to determine the plasticity of a
soil. In agronomy, soil consistency is highly considered to be necessary because different
practices are applied and utilized in soil for the purpose of farming. Therefore, upper and
lower plastic limits and the plasticity index are significant in agronomy.
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Name: Jonabel M.

Hadji Basit Section: SSC001 - DdEe

Chapter 3 Study Guide:

Answer: PD = 2.50 g/cm3 (Based on the consideration when particle density is

Answer: % pore spaces = 100 -% solid space

g. % volumetric moisture content

2. A soil was determined to have the following properties:

FC = 30% by mass Soil depth = 20 cm

a) Calculate the weight of 1ha of soil plowed to a depth of 20 cm.

2000000000 cm3 x 1.35 g/cm3 = 2700000000 g or 2700000 kg.

Therefore, the weight of 1 ha of soil plowed to a depth of 20 cm is 2700000 kg.

b. If you were to irrigate the first 30 cm depth of soil,

Answer: Moisture Content = 25% = 0.25

We will use the formula of moisture content and derive this:

Therefore, the weight of the moist soil is 150g.

4. The soil has the following characteristics:

a) Total available water

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