Question

Arrange the following forms of soil consistency in relation to increasing soil wetness
A. Soft
B. Friable
C. Sticky
D. Plastic
E. Harsh
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B, C, D, E
• B. A, C, D, B, E
• C. C, D, A, B, E
• D. E, B, A, D, C

Hint:

Atterberg's Sequence:
Solid (Hard/Harsh) $\rightarrow$ Semi-solid $\rightarrow$ Plastic $\rightarrow$ Liquid (Sticky).
"Friable" is the farmer's favorite state—not too dry, not too wet.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to sequence the descriptive states of soil consistency (Atterberg states) starting from the driest state and moving towards the wettest state.
Detailed Explanation:

• Defining Soil Consistency:
Soil consistency refers to the physical state of the soil at different water contents. As water is added to a dry soil, it transitions through several stages.

• Analyzing the States by Wetness:
E. Harsh (Driest): At very low moisture, the soil is hard and difficult to break. This is the "Hard" or "Harsh" consistency.
B. Friable (Moist): As moisture increases, the soil becomes easy to crumble. This is the ideal state for tillage (ploughing).
A. Soft (Moist/Wet transition): As more water is added, the soil softens further but hasn't reached the plastic state yet.
D. Plastic (Wet): At the plastic limit, the soil can be molded and rolled into threads without breaking. It behaves like modeling clay.
C. Sticky (Very Wet): Beyond the liquid limit or near saturation, the soil adheres strongly to other surfaces (like a finger or a plough). This is the wettest state.

• Summary Sequence:
Dry (Harsh) $\rightarrow$ Moist (Friable $\rightarrow$ Soft) $\rightarrow$ Wet (Plastic $\rightarrow$ Sticky).

Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct order of increasing wetness is E (Harsh), B (Friable), A (Soft), D (Plastic), and C (Sticky).