The Percolation Rate of Soil in Soil – Our Life – Class 7 Science Experiment
Chapter Name: Soil – Our Life
Activity Name: The Percolation Rate of Soil in Soil – Our Life
Activity Description:
In this experiment, we will determine the percolation rate of soil, which refers to the speed at which water passes through the soil. We will use soil samples collected from the previous activity and measure how fast water moves through the soil under controlled conditions.
Required Items:
- Plastic funnel
- Filter paper
- Dry soil (50 grams)
- Measuring cylinder (100 ml)
- Beaker
Step by Step Procedure:
- Take the soil samples collected from the previous activity.
- Set up the plastic funnel and place a filter paper inside it.
- Weigh 50 grams of dry soil and pour it into the funnel.
- Take 100 ml of water in a measuring cylinder.
- Start pouring the water onto the soil in the funnel, but do so drop by drop. Ensure that you distribute the water all over the surface of the soil and avoid pouring all the water at one spot.
- Continue pouring water until it starts dripping out of the funnel.
- Observe and measure the amount of water collected in the beaker.
- Calculate the difference in the amounts of water poured and collected to determine the percolation rate.
- Record the time taken for water to pass through the soil sample.
- Fill the provided table with the relevant data.
Experiment Observations:
- Percolation rate of the soil (ml/minute)
- Time taken for water to pass through the soil (minutes)
Note down your observations in below table format
Precautions:
- Ensure that the soil sample is dry before starting the experiment.
- Pour the water drop by drop to simulate natural percolation conditions.
- Avoid pouring all the water at one spot to allow even distribution.
- Use a filter paper to prevent any soil particles from clogging the funnel.
- Measure the amount of water collected accurately.
Lesson Learnt from Experiment:
The percolation rate of soil is an essential characteristic that affects its ability to retain and drain water. Soils with a higher percolation rate allow water to pass through quickly, which may lead to drainage and erosion issues.
On the other hand, soils with a lower percolation rate may retain water for longer, potentially causing waterlogging problems. Understanding the percolation rate helps in managing irrigation, choosing suitable crops, and assessing the overall health of the soil for various purposes.
