Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Capillary rise is responsible for loss of water from soil by evaporation.
Statement (II): Retention of water by soil against gravitation pull depends on two surface forces, namely, cohesion and adhesion.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
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Adhesion + Cohesion = Capillarity.
Capillarity is responsible for both holding water against gravity (retaining moisture) and pulling water up to the surface to evaporate.
Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.
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The Correct Option isA
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Soil water dynamics are driven by capillary action, surface tension, and molecular forces. Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement I evaluation: Capillary rise continuously pulls water upward through narrow soil pores from deeper, wetter zones to the dry soil surface. Once this water reaches the surface, it vaporizes and enters the atmosphere via evaporation. Thus, capillary rise is a major mechanism driving evaporative water loss from bare soil surfaces. Statement I is correct.
- Statement II evaluation: Soil water retention against gravity is driven by adhesion (attraction between water molecules and solid soil mineral surfaces) and cohesion (attraction of water molecules to each other). Together, these surface forces create the surface tension that holds water in micropores. Statement II is correct. Step 4: Final Answer:
Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true. This corresponds to option (A).
