The Moisture Content of Soil in Soil – Our Life – Class 7 Science Experiment
Chapter Name: Soil – Our Life
Activity Name: The Moisture Content of Soil in Soil – Our Life
Activity Description:
In this experiment, we will determine the moisture content of different soil samples using a simple method. The goal is to find out how much water is present in a given quantity of soil. By weighing the soil before and after drying, we can calculate the percentage of moisture content.
Required Items:
- Different soil samples
- Balance or weighing scale
- Newspaper
- Stopwatch or timer
Step by Step Procedure:
- Grind the soil sample you wish to test into a fine powder.
- Weigh 100 grams of the powdered soil accurately using a balance or weighing scale and record this weight as W1.
- Spread the soil evenly on a newspaper, ensuring that the layer is not too thick to allow proper drying.
- Place the newspaper with the soil under direct sunlight and dry it for approximately two hours. During this time, make sure the sky is clear, and the sun’s heat is intense for efficient drying.
- Turn the soil over occasionally to promote even drying and prevent spillage.
- After two hours, remove the dried soil from the newspaper and weigh it again using the same balance, recording this weight as W2.
Experiment Observations:
- Initial weight of soil (W1): _______ grams
- Final weight of dried soil (W2): _______ grams
- Moisture content (MC) = (W1 – W2) / W1 * 100
Precautions:
- Handle the soil samples with care to avoid contamination and spillage.
- Ensure the sun is intense and the sky is clear for effective drying.
- Use the same balance for weighing both before and after drying.
- Keep the soil layer on the newspaper thin and even for uniform drying.
Lesson Learnt from Experiment:
This experiment demonstrates a simple method to determine the moisture content of soil. It emphasizes the importance of knowing the water content in soil, which is crucial for various applications, including agriculture, construction, and environmental studies.
