Index Properties MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

In a fully saturated soil, water fills all the voids, so V_w = V_v and S = 1.

Formula

S = V_w / V_v

Step-by-step solution

1. S = V_w / V_v. 2. In a fully saturated soil, all voids are filled with water, so V_w = V_v. 3. Therefore S = 1.00 (100%). 4. The answer is (C).

Explanation

Degree of saturation shows how much of the void space is filled with water. For fully saturated soil, it is 1 (100%). For dry soil, it is 0.

Why the other options are wrong

(A) and (B) represent partially saturated soil. (D) S cannot be more than 1 because water cannot exceed the void volume.

Shortcut

Dry soil S = 0, saturated soil S = 1, and 0 < S < 1 for partially saturated soil.

Common mistake

Thinking S can be more than 1. Its range is always 0 to 1.