Key learning points

1. Scientists investigate how water moves easily through permeable soils and slowly through soils with low permeability.
2. Scientists often evaluate a completed investigation and suggest improvements.
3. The size of particles in a soil affects its permeability.
4. Soils with high permeability, such as sandy soil, allow water through easily, so decrease the risk of flooding.
5. Soils with low permeability, such as clay soil, don't allow water through easily, so may be prone to flooding.

Keywords

• Permeability - Permeability is the ability of a substance to allow gases or liquids to go through it.

• Measure - To measure is to use equipment to find numbers to describe a feature of something such as its length, weight, size or time.

• Data - Data is information collected during an investigation. It may be numbers, symbols, pictures or text.

• Evaluate - To evaluate an investigation is to include an explanation of, and degree of trust in, the results.

Common misconception