Fieldwork: Planning a soil enquiry and collecting data
I can collect soil texture data on my school site.
- Year 8
Fieldwork: Planning a soil enquiry and collecting data
I can collect soil texture data on my school site.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Soil texture can potentially affect the rate of water infiltration.
- A fieldwork enquiry can be used to find the extent to which soil texture effects infiltration.
- Geographers can use a combination of data collection techniques to investigate the characteristics of soil.
Keywords
Soil texture - characteristics of soil, such as how large the soil particles are, or how large the pores (spaces) between the particles are
Porosity - how porous soil structure is (i.e. the size and quantity of spaces between soil particles)
Infiltration - the movement of water from the surface to the lower soil layers
Common misconception
Large soil particles means there are smaller pores between them.
Soil that is made-up of small particles has a structure where the particles can fit together more easily reducing the pore size between them.
Equipment
Infiltrometer; 500ml water container; soil auger; clear sided (ideally glass) 100ml measuring cylinder; rubber mallet; stopwatch; clipboard
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Risk assessment required - outdoor learning
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is geology the study of?
Q2.Match the rock type with its description.
