Laboratory Analysis
Making Sense of Particle-Size Distribution (continued)
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Index |
 Heavy,
large particles settle first, so when a soil sample is
stirred or shaken in a 500 mL cylinder, sand particles
(according to the USDA definition) settle to the bottom
of the cylinder after 2 minutes, while the clay and silt
size particles stay in suspension. |
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| After
12 minutes, the sand, according to the ISSS definition,
has settled, leaving the clay and silt size particles
in suspension. |
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| After
24 hours, the silt size particles have settled, and only
the clay stays in suspension to be recorded by the hydrometer. |
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The Next Day |
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Soil Particles Dispersed in Beaker
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| Here are the calculation worksheet and the specific gravity conversion table to help figure out the exact percentages of sand, silt, and clay. And here is a draft of the new calculation worksheet. |
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