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<TITLE>Activity: Porosity</TITLE>
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<Center>Hawai'i Space Grant College, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, 1997</Center> 
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Porosity

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Purpose 
To measure the amount of water stored in the pore space of a soil sample.
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Key Words
soil
particle
pore space
porosity
saturation
groundwater
 
Materials
dry soil sample or sand
two 500 ml beakers
water
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Background 
Soils are made of particles of different types and sizes. The space between particles is called pore space. Pore space determines the amount of water that a given volume of soil can hold. Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of soil that consists of pore space. This is an important measurement in areas where drinking water is provided by groundwater reserves.
Procedure 
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<DT>1.<DD>Fill one beaker, up to the 500 ml mark, with dry soil or sand. Place it on a table or flat workspace.
<DT>2.<DD>Fill the other beaker, up to the 500 ml mark, with water.
<DT>3.<DD>Slowly pour the water from the second beaker into the soil sample. Stop pouring when the water level reaches the top of the soil. The soil has reached saturation and cannot hold any more water.
<DT>4.<DD>How much water is left in the second beaker?
<DT>5.<DD>How much water is now held in the pore spaces of the soil sample?
<DT>6.<DD>Use your answer from question 5 to compute the porosity (the percentage of pore space) of the soil sample.
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Geology is the study of rocks, minerals, and the earth's surface. From volcanoes to fossils to earthquakes, geology helps us understand the forces that shape our planet.

Soils are made of particles of different types and sizes. The space between particles is called pore space. Pore space determines the amount of water that a given volume of soil can hold. Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of soil that consists of pore space. This is an important measurement in areas where drinking water is provided by groundwater reserves

Have you ever wondered how much water can fit in the tiny spaces between soil particles? Let's find out! We'll measure the porosity of different types of soil by filling a beaker with soil and then slowly pouring water into it until it reaches saturation.

How much water can soil hold?

Compare the porosity of different types of soil

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Earth science explores our planet and all the wonders that it holds. From the solid ground beneath our feet to the vast oceans and the air we breathe, earth scientists investigate how our planet changes over time, what causes weather patterns and natural disasters, and how we can preserve and protect our environment.

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