Download Name: Date:_____ Block:______ Soil Lab Objective: Students will

Name:____________________________________ Date:_____ Block:______
Soil Lab
Objective: Students will be able to predict how soil is formed as well as observe the different types of
materials that make up soil.
Materials:
2 Alka Seltzer Tablet
2 small beakers
Vinegar
Soil Samples
Calcium Carbonate (chalk)
HOMEWORK-your soil sample
hand lenses
toothpick
Petri dish
spoon
Stereoscopes
Background Information:
Part A: Sediment (sediment is broke-up or weathered rock)
Sand- being the larger size of particles, feels gritty.
Silt- being moderate in size, has a smooth or floury texture
Clay- being the smaller size of particles, feels sticky.
The Size of Sand, Silt and Clay
Name particle diameter:
Course
means large
Type of Sediment:
Clay
Silt
Very fine sand
Size of sediment:
below 0.002 millimeters
0.002 to 0.05 millimeters
0.05 to 0.10 millimeters
Fine sand
0.10 to 0.25 millimeters
Medium sand
0.25 to 0.5 millimeters
Coarse sand
0.5 to 1.0 millimeters
Very coarse sand
1.0 to 2.0 millimeters
Gravel
2.0 to 75.0 millimeters
Rock
greater than 75.0 millimeters (~2”)
Part I: Observing Soil
1. Carefully, carry a stereoscope to you lab table. Plug in your scope if required.
2. Next, take a spoonful of soil and place it in the petri dish.
3. Place the petri dish under the scope and adjust the magnification until you clearly see the
sediment within the soil.
4. Using your lab partner for assistance, identify the ROCKS or MINERALS observed in each
other’s soil sample. List, draw and color each below.
Rocks and Minerals in your soil:
Rocks and Minerals in your partner’s soil:
5. Using a toothpick, examine each of the examples of soil. Carefully, use the hand lens to observe
every detail of the soil samples.
6. In the space below, draw and LABEL each soil sample. In each sample, label the following (if the
material is not observed in the sample, do not draw or label that component.)
Gravel
silt
sand
organic material (humus)
clay
7. Spread your soil over your Petri dish. Use the hand lens and examine your soil.
8. Draw, list and describe the types of SEDIMENT (see attachment for your descriptions of the
basic types of sediment), living material, fertilizers, rocks/minerals that are observed in the
space below:
List and descriptions:
A. Next, in the circles below, SEPARATE the types of sediment you have observed and LABEL each
type of sediment.
B. After separating SOME of the soil into types of sediment, draw/sketch each type of sediment
in the appropriate circle and then return you separated sediment to the soil sample.
Type of sediment:
Type of sediment:
Type of sediment:
Type of sediment:
Part II: Type of Soil:
1. Follow the attached directions to complete the Feel Test, Ball-Squeeze Test, and Ribbon Test
to determine your type of soil. (use the attached directions to complete each test)
2. Yes, you WILL get messy!
Feel Test:_______________________________
Ball Squeeze Results:______________________
My soil type is (Ribbon Test):________________________________
The most common sediment in my soil is:__________________________
Part III: Weathering and Erosion (use the textbook or Vocabulary Charts)
1. Fill a beak ¼ of the way full with vinegar.
2. Then, break off a small piece of chalk and place it in the vinegar. Observe the chalk for a couple
minutes.
3. Then, use the tweezers, remove and observe your piece of chalk.
A.
What happened to the chalk?
B.
Chalk has the same composition as limestone, therefore, what do you predict happens to
limestone when it is exposed to acid rain, such as that of New Jersey?
C.
Was this process a chemical or physical process? How do you know?
D.
What is this process called when rock or solid substance is deteriorated or chemically
broken-down by an acid such acid rain?
E.
Thinking back again to the Rocks and Minerals Unit, which metamorphic, non-foliated rock
reacted positively to acid?
F.
G.
What is this rock commonly used for?
How will acid rain then impact some of our ancient structure made of this rock all over the
world?
H.
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
I.
Last, LIST three examples of physical weathering and examples of chemical weathering.
Physical:
Chemical:
Analysis and Conclusion:
1.
Evaluate the difference between sediment and soil. Which is more necessary for plant growth
and why? (2 points)
2. What is the substance that actually provides the nutrients to the newly growing plant and how is
this substance created?(1 point)
3. Which sediment type from above do you think would be best to dam water or prevent water from
passing through? Why?(2 Points)
4. Potholes were a significant problem this extremely cold winter (Polar Vortex). Using your
knowledge obtained from this lab and/or your textbook, explain HOW potholes are created (use
vocabulary) as well as why there were so many this year compared to last year. (5 Points)
D. Connecting concepts: Briefly analyze the connections between our biosphere (all living
creatures on Earth), our Hydrosphere (the water cycle), the atmosphere (including the oxygen we
breathe) to soil. How are all of the cycles dependent on each other? Provide an example to
justify your connections. (10 Points)