Question

Assume that a 100 cm3 soil core weighs 78g when oven-dried and 123 g when saturated. Calculate the total pore space and total porosity. Show all of you work.

Answer 1

To calculate the total pore space, we will find the difference between the mass of the soil when it is oven - dried and when it is saturated. Therefore, the value of the total pore space and total porosity are 45g and 45% respectively

Given that a 100 cm3 soil core weighs 78g when oven-dried and 123 g when saturated.

The given parameters are;

Volume of soil V = 100$cm^{3}$

Mass ( Oven dried) $M_{1}$ = 78g

Mass ( Saturated) $M_{2}$ = 123g

In the soil formation, pore space refers to the volume of soil. And to calculate the total pore space, we will find the difference between the mass of the soil when it is oven - dried and when it is saturated. That is,

Total pore space =  $M_{2}$ - $M_{1}$

Total pore space = 123 - 78

Total pore space = 45g

And total porosity will be the percentage of the ratio of total pore space to the given volume of the soil. That is,

Total porosity = (Total pore space / volume of the soil) x 100

Total porosity = 45/100 x 100

Total porosity = 0.45 x 100

Total porosity = 45%

Therefore, the value of the total pore space and total porosity are 45g and 45% respectively

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