Laboratory Analysis

Particle Size Distribution (continued)

Soil Science Basics

Soil & the Environment

Working with soil

Soil & Students

Soil & Agriculture

6. At the next class, stir the suspension in the beaker again, and pour it into a 500 mL graduated cylinder. Use a squirt bottle to rinse out the beaker and add this to the soil mixture in the cylinder.

stirring soil in suspension

Pouring solution into 500 ml cylinder

7. Add enough water to fill the cylinder to the 500 mL mark.

500 mL mark

8. Securely cover the top of the cylinder using plastic wrap or other secure cover.

9. Mix vigorously by rotating the covered cylinder hand-over-hand at least 10 times. Be sure the soil is thoroughly mixed in the solution and does not stick to the bottom of the cylinder. Try not to let any of the suspension leak out the top.

shaking cylinder with soil and water

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