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 Seeking Colonial States This is the experiment we are doing. We would like you to do it too and then share your results with us either in a comment, by Skype or any other way you would like. We will be posting our results on the map we are colonial map we are creating. If other states want to participate feel free to share your results too. Here is the experiment. Have fun! Experiment: Purpose: To examine and compare soil composition (content of each of the different particle sizes). Learn to differentiate between clay, silt, sand, and gravel. Discuss the properties of soils according to its composition. Material: Two samples of soil from different locations Water Two medium size empty transparent plastic bottles (around 13 to 20 fl oz, or 350 to 600ml) Paper Transparent tape Pen, crayon or marker Procedure: 1. Pour the soil from the first sample and water into the first bottle: one part of soil, two parts of water. 2. Close the bottle well. 3. Shake the bottle for 3 minutes (make sure the soil mixes well with the water) 4. Let settle. 5. Write “Soil Composition: Sample 1”, date, and time of the day on the tag and paste it to the bottle with the tape. 6. Repeat the steps with the second sample and the second bottle. Write “Soil Composition: Sample 2”, date, and time of the day on the tag. 7. Let both bottles settle for thirty minutes. Describe the composition of each soil and try to explain the differences. 8. Describe the composition of each soil and try to explain the differences Results: After thirty minutes, the gravel, sand and silt would have settled on the bottom of the bottle making layers that appear in this order bottom-up (see Soil Chart). The water will still look brownish. That is because the finest particles of soil, the clay, are so light that it will take those about 24 hours to completely settle down. On the surface of the water, organic detritus (decaying organic matter: pieces of twigs, leaves, dead insects, etc.) is floating. Why: In water, particles settle more quickly the bigger they are. It is possible to use this property to determine the amount of each component of the soil. Gravel and sand will settle after 40 seconds; silt will take 30 minutes, and clay will settle after one hour. You can use these time frames to measure the thickness of each layer and determine how much (%) of each particle is in your soil sample. You can also apply this technique to evaluate the composition of the soil for a potted plant, and correct it. Example: if water doesn't drain well, would more sand help? If it needs to hold water longer would clay or organic matter be helpful? Make a drawing of your results measuring the thickness of each layer then labeling each layer of your diagram with the proper measurement. After gathering all of our samples from Owatonna we will compare our results. If we are successful with finding Colonial states to participate we will compare their results with ours and also with what we learn from our research. Article posted October 16, 2011 at 07:37 PM • comment (1) • Reads 1136 • Return to Blog List Add a CommentPosted Comments  Hi Matt, One of your students commented on our blog looking for soil samples. We would love to help but he didn't leave any details. Perhaps you could email me.
Comment Posted on October 17, 2011 at 07:41 PM by
Mrs. Griffin |
 My Classes & Students
About the Blogger A Minnesota 5th grade teacher developing a digital classroom for the 21st century Latest 10 Comments: |
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