Percolation is the downward flow or seepage of water

through the pores of rocks and soil.

A Zone of Saturation is an area where all pore spaces are

filled with water.

049 WATER PERCOLATION THROUGH SOIL

4 Paper cups

Sand, Topsoil, Gravel

Filter paper

Funnels

100ml measuring cylinder or vessels of known volume.

Stopwatch or any watch.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

Soil

SandGravel

• Use a paperclip to poke several holes in the bottom of each paper cup.

• Each cup should have the same number of holes located at approximately

in the same spots.

• With the filter paper cover the bottom of each cup.

• Place the cups on a funnel resting on the top of the measuring jar.

Label the cups A, B, C and D.

Fill half of Cup A with Soil,

Fill half of Cup B with Sand,

Fill half of Cup C with Gravel, and

Fill half of Cup D with equal amounts of Soil, Sand & Gravel

Measure 100 ml of water and pour it into Cup A.

Record the time taken for 50 ml of water to drain into the measuring cylinder.

Repeat the procedure for cups B, C, and D.

Record time taken to recover the total volume of water.

Compare and discuss results.

Cup A with Soil Cup B with Sand Cup C with Gravel Cup D with Soil, Sand & Gravel