Calculating Water Volume and Saturation

On the 2018 midterm, Q1 b) asks for the mass of the water and the volume of the water. Based on your question, I assume you were ok calculating the mass of the water. If you know the mass of the water (g) and the density of water (g/cm3) you can calculate the volume of water in the sample.

The volume of water in a sample (cm3) is not the same as the volumetric water content (cm3/cm3).

Re: particle density - IF you have a mineral soil, you can assume a particle density - see lecture #4, slide 9. You would also have assumed a value for particle density in question 4 of problem set #1.

Note the calculation on last year's midterm was relatively difficult.

For 2018 Midterm, how to solve question 1 part d? Can you assume particle density =2.65? The question did not mention that it is a mineral soil. Also, is the question asking for volumetric water content? It doesn't specify?

Hi Wanyue To answer Q1d) on the 2018 exam, you can indicate "assuming a mineral soil, and a particle density of 2.65"

You are correct, the question is not clear. As long as you provide units and indicate whether you are determining gravimetric or volumetric water content either answer would be correct.

Let me reiterate - that the calculation question on the 2018 midterm was particularly challenging.