THEORY

Specific gravity, G is defined as the ratio of the weight of a certain volume of soil solids to the weight
of an equal volume of distilled water at constant temperature; i.e. it is the most accurate method.
Whereas the specific gravity flask or pycnometer methods are only suitable for coarse grained soil.

INTRODUCTION

In this partially open laboratory activity the students are required to carry out tests to determine the
amount and distribution of the particle size of the sand.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the particle density of soil.

APPARATUS

100ml bottle, stopper, vacuum, distilled water, dry soil.

PROCEDURE

1. The bottle with stopper is weighed.

2. The bottle is filled with 20 gram dry soil and weighed.
3. Then, the bottle is filled with of distilled water and being shake well for five minutes. No need to
include stopper while the bottle being shake.
4. The bottle is put in the vacuum for 10 minutes until the bubbles lost and weighed.
5. The bottle is cleaned and full filled with distilled water.
6. The bottle with distilled water is weighed.
RESULT

Density bottle number 1 2 3

Mass of density bottle + stopper (m) 35.965g 39.743g 37.950g
Mass of density bottle + stopper + dry soil (m) 56.006g 57.254g 58.020g
Mass of density bottle + stopper + soil + water (m) 148.806g 152.258g 151.58g
Mass of density bottle + stopper + full of water (m) 136.372g 140.555g 139.200g
Mass of dry soil (m-m) 20.041g 17.511g 20.070g
Mass of water (m-m) 92.800g 95.004g 93.560g
Mass of water to fill the density bottle (m-m) 100.407g 100.812g 101.250g
() 2.635 3.015 2.610
Particle density of soil = ()() , (kg/m)

ANALYSIS
The particle density can be determined by using the formula. When the mass of dry soil is determined,
then the value is divided with the value obtained by subtracting mass of water to fill the density bottle
with mass of soil+ water.

DISCUSSION
When the mass of soil use is little, it will result the density of soil to be high.

CONCLUSION
We can conclude that the mass of the soil use can affect the particle density obtained.

REFERENCES AND APPENDICES