Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): The porosity of a soil can not exceed 100 per cent.
Statement (II): The degree of saturation can not be zero per cent.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
• C. Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
• D. Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Hint:

A bone dry soil has zero degree of saturation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: By definition, porosity $n = V_v/V$, where $V_v$ is void volume and $V$ is total volume. Since $V_v$ is always less than or equal to $V$, $n$ stays between 0 and 1, so it cannot exceed 100 percent. This confirms Statement (I).
Step 2: Degree of saturation $S = V_w/V_v$, where $V_w$ is the volume of water present. An oven dried soil sample has $V_w = 0$, giving $S = 0$ percent, a physically real and common condition. So the claim that $S$ cannot be zero is false.
\[\boxed{\text{Statement I true, Statement II false}}\]