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Measuring Soil Particle Density Method

The document outlines a procedure for determining the particle density of soil using a pycnometer. It includes principles of water displacement, necessary apparatus, a step-by-step procedure, and precautions for accurate measurement. The calculations involve measuring the weight of water and soil to derive the particle density formula.

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propalis87092
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12 views2 pages

Measuring Soil Particle Density Method

The document outlines a procedure for determining the particle density of soil using a pycnometer. It includes principles of water displacement, necessary apparatus, a step-by-step procedure, and precautions for accurate measurement. The calculations involve measuring the weight of water and soil to derive the particle density formula.

Uploaded by

propalis87092
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PARTICLE DENSITY

Principle
A given amount of dry soil when immersed in a definite volume of water, expels air and results
in the displacement of equal volume of water. The volume of soil particles is determined by
measuring the volume of water displaced in the pycnometer bottle.
Mw = Mpw +Ms – Mpsw
But, Mw = Vspw
Ms
and Vs =
Ps
Ms − Pw
Thus, Ps =
Mw
Therefore,
Ms
Ps =
Mpw+Ms −Mpsw

Apparatus:
(1) A pycnometer / Round Bottle
(2) An analytical balance
(3) Beaker 50 mL
(4). Pipette
(5). A hot plate / Electric Kettle
(6). Tissue paper
(7). Weighing paper
Procedure:
1. Fill up a clean, dry pycnometer bottle with deaerated water.
2. Wipe out the surface of the pycnometer and weight it.
3. Empty it and put into it 10 gm soil.
4. When the bottle is half filled, using the pipette, wash into it sail particles sticking to
the inner side of the neck.
5. Boil (hot) water the contents to remove the entrapped air.
6. Cool the contents to room temperature are fall the pycnometer with deaerated water.
7. Wipe the surface off the pycnometer battle, dry and weight it.
Precautions:
1. If soil sample is rich in organic matter, it should be treated first with H2O2 to oxidise
OM and then proceed as above.
2. Boiled and cooled distilled water should be used for density of pycnometer
determination.
3. The resolution of balance used should be 1 mg.

Observations Table
S. N. Weight of PM + Weight of PM Water PD
Water + Water + Soil displaced (Mgm-3)
1.
2.
3.

Calculation:
(1). Wt. (Weight) of water filled pycnometer bottle = Mpw (gm)
(2). Wt. of dry soil = 10 gm
(3) Wt. of pycnometer + water + soil = Mpws (gm)
(4) Volume of water displaced (value of soil solids) = (Mpw+10 - Mpws) cm3
10
(5). Particle density of soil (Ps) = (Mg m-3)
(Mpw + 10) − (Mpws)

Where:
Mpw = Mass of pycnometer with fill water.
Mpws = Mass of pycnometer with water and soil.

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