2. Phase Relations of Soils

Try these first

1. 1.

   What are the three phases of soil?

   Hint

   Think about what makes up the bulk of soil and what fills the voids.

2. 2.

   Define a fully saturated soil.

   Hint

   Consider what happens when soil absorbs water completely without any air spaces.

3. 3.

   What three components make up the phases of soil?

   • Air
   • rocks
   • minerals
   • Solids
   • water
   • air
   • Earth
   • bacteria
   • nutrients

   Hint

   Think of what fills up the space in a soil profile.

4. 4.

   In fully saturated soil, what is present in the voids?

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what happens when soil is over-saturated.

5. 5.

   A farmer has a field with partially saturated soil. How will changes in rainfall impact the soil's saturation and agricultural yield?

   Hint

   Consider the balance that plants require of water and air in the soil.

6. 6.

   In construction, why is it important for an engineer to evaluate soil phase relations at a building site, and how might they test for soil saturation?

   Hint

   What tests determine whether soil is dry, saturated, or somewhere in between?