Particle density

Bulk density

1. The weight per unit volume of solid portion of soil is called particle density.

1. The weight per unit bulk volume of oven dry soil is called bulk density.

2. The volume includes only soil solids.

2. The volume includes both soil solids and pore space.

3. It is expressed by the following formula, P.D=Ms/Vs gm/cc. where Ms= Mass of solid portion of soil. Vs= Volume of solid portion of soil.

3. It is expressed by the following formula, B.D=Ms/Vt gm/cc. where, Ms=Mass of dry soil. Vt=Total volume of soil.

4. Particle density of mineral soil ranges from 2.6-2.75 gm/cc.

4. Bulk density of mineral soil ranges from 1.0-1.8gm/cc.

5. Particle density of organic soil ranges from 1.2-1.7 gm/cc.

5. Bulk density of organic soil is about 0.5 gm/cc.

6. It does not depend on soil texture, structure and porosity.

6. It depends on soil texture, structure and porosity.

7. Particle density of a soil is always higher than bulk density.

7. Bulk density of a soil is always lower than particle density.