Question

Statement (I): The capacitance method measures soil moisture content by analyzing changes in electrical capacitance.
Statement (II): The finger-licking method estimates soil moisture content based on tactile sensations.

• 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:

Capacitance = accurate electronic method; Finger-feel = traditional, subjective method.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The capacitance method is accurate and based on measurable electrical properties. The tactile or finger-feel method is subjective but commonly used in the field.

Answer 2

Mechanism-based explanation: The capacitance method places a sensor (with electrodes or a probe) in the soil; the soil-water mixture acts as a dielectric medium, and since water has a much higher dielectric constant than soil solids and air, changes in electrical capacitance across the sensor can be converted into an accurate, repeatable estimate of volumetric soil moisture. This makes Statement (I) true.
The finger-licking (feel) method relies on rolling a soil sample between the fingers and judging moisture by stickiness, coolness or the ability to form a ribbon. It has no electronic basis and is entirely tactile/sensory, yet it is a genuinely used, low-cost field technique for a quick qualitative estimate. This makes Statement (II) true as well.
Since both descriptions correctly characterise how each method works, both statements are true.