Title: Soil Water
Aim: to use a sponge to demonstrate some soil water concepts.
Materials: sponge, basin, water, dipper
Method:
Part A:
Fill the basin with water.
Place the sponge (dry) in the water.
Squeeze the sponge.
Record your observations.
Assuming that the sponge is a parcel of soil, what do your observations tell you?
Part B:
Hold the sponge at a slant at the edge of the basin.
Slowly pour water into the sponge.
Rapidly pour water into the sponge.
Define infiltration and surface runoff. Identify which step referred to infiltration and which step referred to surface runoff.
Part C
Hold the sponge so that the longer edge is pointing downward
Slowly pour water on the sponge.
Observe how the water flows down the sponge.
Record your observations.
Squeeze the sponge tightly until no more water flows out.
Record your observations.
Place a sheet of toilet paper on the sponge.
Record your observations.
Define gravitational water, capillary water and hygroscopic water.
Identify which observation refers to gravitational water, capillary water and hygroscopic water.
Observations:
Include recorded observations and photographs.
Discussion:
What is soil water?
What percentage of the soil consists of water?
Include the answers to the following steps in the method above: Part A: #5; Part B#4;Part C #9 & 10.
Conclusion:
How is a sponge similar to soil?
What did you learn about soil water from this experiment?