Let's walk through the procedure as outlined and calculate the percentages of each type of particle step by step.
For the sample scenario we have:
- Depth of sand: 3.5 cm
- Depth of silt: 2.0 cm
- Depth of clay: 0.5 cm
Step 1: Measure and record the depth of each layer
Sand layer depth: 3.5 cm
Silt layer depth: 2.0 cm
Clay layer depth: 0.5 cm
Step 2: Calculate the total depth of all settled soil
Total depth = Sand depth + Silt depth + Clay depth
Total depth = 3.5 cm + 2.0 cm + 0.5 cm = 6.0 cm
Step 3: Calculate the percentage of each type of particle
The percentage of each type is obtained by dividing the depth of that layer by the total depth and multiplying by 100.
[tex]\[ \text{Sand percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{Sand depth}}{\text{Total depth}} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Sand percentage} = \left( \frac{3.5 \, \text{cm}}{6.0 \, \text{cm}} \right) \times 100 = 58.33\% \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Silt percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{Silt depth}}{\text{Total depth}} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Silt percentage} = \left( \frac{2.0 \, \text{cm}}{6.0 \, \text{cm}} \right) \times 100 = 33.33\% \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Clay percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{Clay depth}}{\text{Total depth}} \right) \times 100 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{Clay percentage} = \left( \frac{0.5 \, \text{cm}}{6.0 \, \text{cm}} \right) \times 100 = 8.33\% \][/tex]
Step 4: Create a table in your notebook
| Soil Type | Layer Depth (cm) | Total Depth (cm) | Layer Depth/Total Depth (%) |
|-----------|------------------|------------------|-----------------------------|
| Sand | 3.5 | 6.0 | 58.33% |
| Silt | 2.0 | 6.0 | 33.33% |
| Clay | 0.5 | 6.0 | 8.33% |
Now you have successfully calculated and tabulated the percentages for each type of soil particle based on their respective depths and the total depth of the settled soil.
