Soil Shake
If you dig down into your garden or yard you may notice that the composition
of the soil changes the deeper you dig. The many different kinds of materials
that make up soil form layers, depending on their composition or relative
weights. Try this activity out and see how when various soil samples are mixed
with water sediment layers are formed.
You Will Need:

Soil samples from around your habitat. Try to find a variety of samples
such as sandy, clay, humus, garden soil, and peat moss.

Jar with a lid for each soil sample

Water

Magnifying glass
1. Place approximately 6cm of each soil sample in clean jars and label each
jar.
2. Examine the soil in Jar #1 and list its characteristics.
3. Fill the rest of the jar with water and put the lid on.
4. Shake the jar for 30 seconds and observe the results. Has the water
changed? What does the soil at the bottom look like?
5. Observe the soil and water in the jar for one or two minutes and record
your observations.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each soil sample that you collected.
7. Compare your findings for the various samples.
What Happens:
 How does the water of one sample compare to that of another?
 Are the layers of sentiment the same or different between samples?
 How do the layers differ between individual samples?
Why:
Soil is composed of numerous particles, ranging from tiny sand-like pieces to
somewhat larger pieces like gravel or wood. When soil is mixed with water and
allowed to settle, layers are formed. The bottom layer contains the largest and
heaviest particles, with successively higher layers containing smaller and
smaller particles. The lightest particles float on the surface or the water.
This activity was adapted from,
Anthony D. Fredericks, Brad K. Cressman, and Robert D. Hassler. Grades 4-6 The Science Discovery Book.
Scott, Foresman and Company, Glenview, IL, 1987. Page 48.