Laboratory Analysis

Particle Size Distribution (continued)

Soil Science Basics

Soil & the Environment

Working with soil

Soil & Students

Soil & Agriculture

10. Gently set the cylinder down in a safe place, and immediately begin timing with a stop watch or clock with a second hand.

clock reading 10:05

(Sample starting time)

11. After 1 minute, carefully lower the hydrometer into the cylinder so it floats in the suspension. Steady the hydrometer to keep it from bobbing up and down.

Lowering hydrometer into solution

12. At exactly 2 minutes after the cylinder was set down, read the line on the hydrometer that is closest to the surface of the soil suspension and record your result on the Particle-Size Distribution Data Work Sheet.

Clock reading 10:07

Hydrometer reading

13. Remove the hydrometer, rinse it, dry it, and gently put it down in a safe place.

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