Areas of Science Geology
Difficulty
Time Required Average (6-10 days)
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Abstract

Soils are made of particles of different types and sizes. The space between particles is called pore space. Pore space determines the amount of water that a given volume of soil can hold. Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of soil that consists of pore space. Compare the porosity of different types of soil. Which types of soil hold the most water? Can you see this under a microscope?

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MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Porosity." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Geo_p035/geology/porosity. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Porosity. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Geo_p035/geology/porosity


Last edit date: 2020-11-20

Experimental Procedure

For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.

If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.

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Ask an Expert

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Related Links

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Soil Scientist
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Career Profile
Not all dirt is created equal. In fact, different types of soil can make a big difference in some very important areas of our society. A building constructed on sandy soil might collapse during an earthquake, and crops planted in soil that doesn't drain properly might become waterlogged and rot after a rainstorm. It is the job of a soil scientist to evaluate soil conditions and help farmers, builders, and environmentalists decide how best to take advantage of local soils. Read more

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