SWS3022 EX1 review – Flashcards

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the dimensions of the earth.
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Diameter: 7973mi, Circumference: 25048mi, SA:200million mi^2, Earths crust: 35mi
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2. Understand that definitions of soil depend strongly on the concerns of those making the definitions. so who?
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Agriculture, ecology/life, geology, environment, public health
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the parameters related to soil composition for an idealized surface soil.
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50% pore space, 50% solids (organic matter and particles)
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basic functions of soils in the environment.
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regulator of water supplies. medium for plant growth. habitat for biota. public health. storage of raw materials
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4 basic processes involved in soil formation
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Transformations, Translocations, Additions, losses
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Transformtions
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Chemical or physical modifications of elements in soil Critical in the Creation of the Parent Material and Alteration of Parent Material to Secondary Components
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Additions
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Input of organic matter from leaves, roots, organisms Input of dust particles on the soil surface, water-deposited solids Manure or fertilizer application
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Losses
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Erosion of soil materials Decomposition of organic matter Movement of salts, clays, O.M.
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Translocations
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loss of: Fe/Al oxides, Organic Matter, Iron and clay from water
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the basics of weathering.
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Critical to Soil Formation, Physical and Chemical Alteration and Reorganization of Rocks and Minerals. Critical in the Creation of the Parent Material and Alteration of Parent Material to Secondary Components
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the 5 soil forming factors and what they mean or imply.
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Climate Organisms/Biota Relief (Topography) parent material time
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type of parent material that dominates Florida's soils.
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from Sandy and Clayey Marine and Alluvial Sediments deposited over limestone Bedrock
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origin of the sediments that ultimately formed the parent materials for Florida's soils.
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Parent Materials Resulted from Influx of Continental Sediments
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parent material
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Original Material
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Climate
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Temperature, Moisture
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Organisms/biota
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Vegetation, Macro, Micro
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Relief (Topography)
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Altitude, Slope
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Time
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Controls extent of other factors
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how temperature and rainfall impact soil formation.
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accelerate soil formation- Heat increases rates of physicochemical processes-Water increases weathering rates and translocations
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why soils in Florida tend to be more highly developed than soils in the S.W. United States.
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climate: High temperatures and rainfall accelerate soil formation Heat increases rates of physicochemical processes Water increases weathering rates and translocations
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What is pedogensis?
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The process of soil formation as the result of the combination of soil forming factors and processes.
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What are soil horizons?
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Roughly parallel layers in the soil with varying composition and properties
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6 master horizons discussed and be able to identify/recognize features of each.
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O A E B C R
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O horizon
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Organic horizon formed above the mineral soil. Derived from decomposition of plant and animal residues At least 20% organic Range in thickness from absent to meters thick.
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A Horizon
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Topmost mineral horizon (topsoil) Subject to significant weathering Accumulates organic material Often darker than soil below. High in plant roots, biotic activity Zone of gas and water exchange
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E Horizon
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Zone of Eluviation, E = Elluviation = exit, Maximum Losses by Translocation, Organic matter, Clays, Carbonates, Fe, Al oxides, Generally light colored
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B Horizon
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Accumulates material lost from above, or forms in place. (translocation, transformation) Usually a Zone of Illuviation (additions, translocation). Clay, O.M., Fe/Al, salts Soil structure Potential color development Potentially high reactivity (concentration of secondary minerals/O.M.)
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C Horizon
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Closely resembles parent material Unconsolidated Little or no evidence of Alteration or development
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R Horizon
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bedrock
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Subordinate Distinctions of the O horizon
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Oa-Highly decomposed organic material (sapric) Oe-Moderately decomposed organic material (hemic) Oi-Slightly decomposed organic material (fibric)
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A horizon subordinate distinctions
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p = disturbed, plowed
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Subordinate Distinctions of the B Master Horizon
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Bt=accumulation of silicate clays Bh=illuvial accumulation of organic matter Bw="Weak" development of color or structure Bg=Gleying - wet, low oxygen
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basic relationship between time and the extent or degree of soil development.
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vertical horizon subdivisions vs transitional horizons.
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Vertical: Characterized by similar master and/or subordinate properties separated by "degree". Transitional layers between master horizons-in between subordinate and dominant
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generalizations presented with respect to soil color
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Grey to Black-Organic Matter Orange to Red-Iron oxides Light Colors-Removal of materials
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3 components to soil color and what they mean.
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Hue, chroma, value
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hue
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dominant spectral color; related to the wavelength of light. Related to the proportions of red to yellow.
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value
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related to total amount of light reflected.
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chroma
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measure of the strength of spectral color
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3 particle size separates and the range in their sizes.
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Sand (2.0 - 0.05) Quartz Silt (0.05 - 0.002) Quartz /Feldspars/mica Clay (<0.002) Secondary minerals
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dominant minerals in each particle size
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Sand and silt fractions are dominated by primary minerals The clay fraction is dominated by reactive secondary minerals
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soil texture
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Soil texture refers to the relative amounts of three distinct particle size separates comprising the mineral component of soils.
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how texture generally affects overall porosity
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All else being equal, finer-textured soils have greater overall porosity than coarse-textured soils
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how texture generally affects pore size distribution
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Large Particles Yield Large Pores
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how texture affects water and gas movement in soils.
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clay-Air and Water Movement is Very Slow Water Retention is High Coarse-Textured Soils:Large Pore Spaces Rapid Water Movement Poor Water Retention Gas Exchange Facilitated
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relationship between soil texture and specific surface area; why is it important?
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Water Movement and Potential Reactivity
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what Stokes' Law indicates and how it is used in the hydrometer method to assess soil texture.
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Stokes' Law allows determination of the time required for different particle size separates to settle from a suspension Determination of the amount of materials settled yields texture 1 minute Sand settles out 6 hours Silt settles out V = K D2
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hydrometer method and how to calculate % sand, silt, and clay given appropriate measurements.
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As particles settle out, the suspension becomes less dense. The hydrometer measures the density of the suspension. The units are g/L. . In dense suspensions, the hydrometer floats higher in less dense suspensions it sinks. is calibrated to read zero in pure water at 20 degrees
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hydrometer method
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Add __ g soil to 1 liter of water 1 min, difference in g is sand settled. 6hrs is clay. put each __g over full __g amount *100%= measurements
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numerical value for soil particle density.
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2.65 g/cm3
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how to compute soil bulk density and what it is.
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BD = mass OD soil volume solids + pores Density of soil including the particles and the pore spaces Based on the Number of Particles Packed into a Given Volume B.D. ranges between 1.0 and 1.6 g/cm3 (for mineral soil with 1 - 5% organic matter)
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how texture, organic matter, aggregation, compaction, and depth in profile affect porosity and bulk density.
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Compaction increases soil density Compaction from above,Lower organic matter,Fewer roots increases soil density. Organic matter increases porosity, decreases BD Depth in profile decreases porosity, increases BD Compaction decreases porosity, increases BD Factors which increase porosity, decrease density
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the conceptual and quantitative relationship between BD and porosity.
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Bulk density high - porosity low Bulk density low - porosity high Factors which increase porosity, decrease density.
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total porosity vs pore size distribution
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total porosity-Indicates the fraction of a total soil volume that is pore space, indicates the maximum volume of water and gases a soil can hold Vp/Vs Pore size distribution- Macro, meso and micropores. macropores > 0.08 mm in diameter large, freely draining sands, inter-aggregate pores large enough to accommodate roots Mesopores Moderate Size 0.08 - 0.03 mm Retain water well against drainage Accommodate fungi and root hairs Micropores < 0.03 mm in diameter small, storage of water Accommodate Bacteria clays, intra-aggregate pores
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Fine-Textured Soils Compacted, High Density Soils High Organic Matter Soils -whats the reactivity
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Small pores slow water and gas movement, but increase contact between soil solution and soil particles, increasing reactivity
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what soil structure is and how it affects soil porosity and pore size distribution
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it affects: the movement of water into and through soil; the degree of aeration; the ability of crop roots to grow through the soil profile; and the ability of the soil to resist soil erosion. Large pores drain freely, small pores store water effectively Poor soil structure can inhibit infiltration of water, water movement, growth of roots.
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what type, class, and grade indicate relative to soil structure. Know the structural types
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types( shapes): Granular,Platy,Block-like, Prism-like class(size), grade (strength)
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how texture, density, and structure impact water and gas movement and potential reactivity.
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Spheriodal soils have a granular structure. The aggregates are 1- 10 mm (1/25- 2/5 in.) in diameter with rounded corners. This structure is usually seen in the A horizon or the upper layer of fine or medium-textured soils. Granular structure in the seed or transplant zone is important for good contact and early establishment. Blocky soil aggregates are often larger in size (5- 50 mm or 1/5- 2 in. in diameter) and form irregular-shaped or cube-like blocks. This structure promotes good drainage, aeration and root penetration. Usually these structures are found in the B horizon or just below the colour change in many soils. Blocky structures greater than 50 mm (2 in.) in diameter are often an indication of compaction or soil management problems. Platy soils form thin layers or horizontal planes. This type of structure can be found in both surface and subsurface soil horizons. It is commonly seen in undisturbed or no-till soils. Platy structures in sandy soils often indicate compaction problems.
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the boiling and freezing point of water.
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The freezing point of water, of course, is 0 degrees Celsius and the boiling point is 100 degrees, giving us a liquid range of 100 degrees.
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how hydrogen and oxygen are bonded within a single water molecule. Know the name of the bond.
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The bonding of hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule is covalent. The hydrogen atoms share their single electron with oxygen thereby completing its valence shell, while oxygen, in turn, shares one of its lone electrons with each hydrogen completing their valence shells.
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how water is made polar.
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oxygen is highly electronegative, In a chemical bond, electrons tend to be drawn toward oxygen, and away from other atoms to which it is bonded. The electrons tend to cluster near the oxygen The overall electrical charge on the molecule is zero, There is a slight partial negative charge near the oxygen atom, and a slight partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms in the molecule
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polarity and how it impacts bonding between water molecules in the liquid and solid.
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So, in liquid as well as solid water or ice, water molecules are linked together electrostatically which imparts unusual stability and strength. This accounts, for example, for water's unusually high boiling point compared to other liquids. tends to keep water in the liquid phase at higher temperatures than compositionally similar liquids like hydrogen sulfide. So, evaporation requires far less energy resulting in a much lower boiling point.
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name of the bond that exists between water molecules in the liquid and solid state.
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An electrostatic bond is established between the water molecules This bond is called a hydrogen bond the bonds are transitory, but extensive, occurring between each water molecule and an average of between 3 and 4 neighboring molecules at any given time.
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is solid water less dense than liquid water and why it is important?
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Hydrogen Bonding Gives Water Uncommon Stability And results in a number of unusual properties Cohesion - attraction between water molecules
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definition of heat capacity and the value for water. (Note the units)
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The amount of heat input required to raise the temperature of a 1 g of a substance by 1oC. (cal/g·oC) 1.0 for water
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Why does water have such a high heat capacity relative to other common liquids like alcohol
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When heat is added to water, the molecules speed up or vibrate more freely. This disturbs hydrogen bonds, but causes only a small change in temperature, because much of the heat energy is used to break or disrupt the hydrogen bonds 1.0 for water
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how heat capacity impacts body temperature.
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Extensive Hydrogen Bonding Allows Water to exist as a Liquid at Normal Temperatures And across a wide range in temperatures
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how heat capacity impacts soil temperature.
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Soil temperature largely is controlled by moisture (soil water content) Heat energy is required to break hydrogen bonds between water molecules, and heat is released when hydrogen bonds are formed.
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why water is relatively slow to evaporate.
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The addition of heat to water causes a relatively small change in the temperature of the water, because much of the heat energy is used to disrupt the hydrogen bonds
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calculate water content on a weight and volume basis.
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Volume= Vwater/Vsoil x 100% (1cm^3=1 g) Weight=Moist-Dryweight/dry soil weight X 100%
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at saturation the volumetric water content = ?
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total porosity
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Know the 2 forces responsible for water movement in soils.
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Gravity Capillarity
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how adhesion and cohesion work together to create capillarity in soils.
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Adhesion: attraction of water molecules to a surface Cohesion: attraction of water molecules to each other Spontaneous movement of water into and through pore spaces in soil without the aid of gravity. Capillarity (and gravity) move water in unsaturated soils
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how pore radius impacts the strength of capillary forces.
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pore radius decrease, capillarity increase
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how soil compaction would influence the strength of capillarity.
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A compacted clayey soil will be dominated by small pores spaces Capillary forces will be strong, dominating movement Water will move multi-directionally or A loose, sandy soil will be dominated by large pores spaces Capillary forces will be weak, gravity dominates Water will move mostly downward
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how porosity differences due to structure would exert different capillary forces on water.
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Total porosity does not necessarily indicate pore size or the strength of capillary forces
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how water content influences capillary forces
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At saturation, all the pores are filled and capillary forces are satisfied.
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the definition of potential energy.
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Energy waiting to be used or exploited
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gravitational potential energy and how it is not impacted by soil properties. Know that the choice of a reference point for determining gravitational potential up to you.
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The greater the height, the greater the gravitational potential energy. . Units are centimeters of height above a chosen reference level. Gravitational potential energy is due only to the height of an object (water) above a reference point. The higher the elevation the greater the energy.
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where capillary potential energy originates and how pore size influences capillary potential energy.
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Matric/Suction Potential Energy) Applies to unsaturated soils Relates to the ability or potential of soils to move water into pores without gravity In a saturated soil, this quantity would be zero, since all the pores are filled. Therefore, quantification of matric potential energy will apply to unsaturated soils.
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unsaturated soil, the capillary potential is negative?
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yes.
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pressure potential and the conditions that create it.
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Equal to the distance below a free water surface In soils, submergence potential is measured based on the depth below a water table. The soil in this case is saturated and will exert a pressure downward, forcing water through the pore spaces below resulting in flow. In this case the pressure is positive rather than negative as is the case for matric potential which is operating in the capillary fringe, drawing water above the water table.
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generally which force, gravity or capillarity will dominate water flow under different moisture conditions.
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it is the total potential energy of soil water which determines flow. The total potential at any point, therefore, is simply the sum of the three component potentials. If a difference in total potential energy between two points in a soil volume exists, water will tend to flow between them, from high total potential to low total potential.
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calculate total potential energy at a given point in a soil given the appropriate parameters.
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Total Potential Energy=Ψg +Ψm + Ψp
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what is meant by plant available water
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Plant Available Water = Field Capacity - PWP (Water content of soil after drainage from saturation by gravity -Water can no longer be accessed by plants )
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overall impact of soil texture, density and structure on capillarity.
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Know how to determine if water will flow between two points in a soil and the direction of flow.
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Water will always flow from areas of high total potential to low total potential. to do this: Sum the individual potentials at each point Determine if there is a difference in potential between points
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what a gradient is and how to calculate it. Know that the greater the gradient, the stronger the driving force for water movement.
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The driving force for water flow. The difference in total potential divided by the Distance between the two points considered
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water moves in response to differences in TOTAL potential, not just one potential?
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true, The stronger the gradient, the greater the driving force for water movement
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hydraulic conductivity, what it is, how it is affected by soil physical properties.?
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The ease with which water moves through soils Texture Density Structure Water content
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how hydraulic conductivity is impacted by soil physical properties and water content.
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The ease with which water moves through soils Maximum conductivity is under saturated conditions cm/hr
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how to combine hydraulic conductivity and the gradient to determine overall flow of water in soils. Note the units of flow.
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Hydraulic conductivity is determined by measuring the volume of flow through a cross sectional area of soil per unit time Darcy's Equation: Q = K * gradient in cm/hr
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10YR 5/10
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hvc, color in middle of hue yellow-red, 5 medium value(lightness), chroma of 10
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gravitational potential energy
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independent of soil properties due only to the height of an object (water) above a reference point. The higher the elevation the greater the energy. Units are centimeters of height above a chosen reference level.
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Capillary Potential Energy
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Applies to unsaturated soils Relates to the ability or potential of soils to move water into pores matric and Suction Potential
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capillary pot energy in saturated soils
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. In a saturated soil, this quantity would be zero, since all the pores are filled
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Soil Texture and Matric Potential
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Fine-textured soils generally exert stronger capillary forces than do coarse-textured soils because pore sizes are smaller.
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total potential engergy
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Total Potential is the Sum of the Gravitational, Matric, and Pressure Potentials Water moves in response to differences in total potential energy between two points
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units of potnetial
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cm of water
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