Soil Soakers4th Grade Batson

Problem:

Which type of soil will retain the most amount of water: sand, humus, clay, or gravel?

Hypothesis:

• If we pour 100 ml of water on 100 ml of soil, then we predict that humus will retain the most amount of water.

Control Variable• 100 ml of water• 100 ml of soil

Different types of soil:

• Sand• Clay• Humus• Gravel

Materials:

• Four plastic bottles• Beaker• Soil: clay, gravel, sand, and humus.• Colored water• Funnel

Procedure:

1.Pour 100 ml of different types of soil: Humus, clay, gravel, and sand into a beaker.

2.Place the soil on four different bottles3.Pour 100 ml of colored water on each

bottle with soil.4.Wait a few minutes to find out which soil

retains the most amount of water.5.Measure the results and record the data.

Results

Data

Conclusion

Our hypothesis was wrong. We thought that humus would retain the most amount of water. However, clay was the soil with the smallest particles and therefore retained the highest amount of water.

Bibliography

• Houston ISD Curriculum Documents• www.brainpop.com