Soil sample activity

Materials:

Three soil samples, tripod magnifier, a pan or other container to pour sample in, tweezers or probe, pencil, lab sheet

Description of soil sample or name of type of soil

Directions:

Sort through the soil and examine the particles with a magnifying glass.

Separate the different types of particles according to their the physical properties.

Record the properties of you soil according to the following criteria

ÄIs the soil sample fine or coarse?

ÄWhat color is the soil?

ÄHow large are the particles?

ÄWhat shapes are the particles

Is your soil mature or immature?

Estimate what fraction of the soil sample contains organic material, rock fragments, sand or clay?

ÄWhat fraction of the soil sample is organic material,

ÄWhat fraction of the soil sample is rock fragments?

ÄWhat fraction of the soil sample is sand?

ÄWhat fraction of the soil sample is clay?

On the back of this paper, compare and contrast your three soil samples according to the observations made above.