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Explain what is meant by the term pH - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2022
Question Question 1
Explain what is meant by the term pH. Cathal and Sinéad collected four soil samples from the same location and tested the pH of each sample. The results are present... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain what is meant by the term pH - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2022
Step 1
Explain what is meant by the term pH.
Answer
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, quantified on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, with values below 7 indicating acidity and values above 7 indicating alkalinity. It is an important factor in determining the suitability of soils for plant growth, as it influences nutrient availability.
Step 2
The actual pH of the soil sample was 6.0. State with a reason who was most accurate in their analysis of the soil samples.
Answer
Sinéad had the most accurate measurement of the soil pH, reporting a value of 6.0 for Sample 1. Since the actual pH was 6.0, her analysis was accurate compared to Cathal, who reported 5.7 for the same sample.
Step 3
Step 4
Identify two issues that may affect crop growth in soils when either a very low or a very high pH (i.e. below 5.5 or above 8.5) is present.
Answer
- Nutrient Deficiency: Soils with a low pH can lead to a deficiency in essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are crucial for plant development.
- Toxicity: High pH soils can increase the availability of harmful elements like aluminum, which can be toxic to plants and adversely affect root growth and overall health.