Concept:
The coefficient of permeability (also called hydraulic conductivity, denoted \(k\)) measures how easily water flows through a soil. It is defined through Darcy's law, where the velocity of flow equals \(k\) times the hydraulic gradient.
Step 1:
In Darcy's law, \(v = k\,i\). The hydraulic gradient \(i\) is the ratio of head loss to length, which is a length divided by a length, so it has no units (dimensionless).
Step 2:
Since \(i\) is dimensionless, \(k\) must carry the same units as velocity \(v\). Velocity is a length per time, so \(k\) is expressed in cm/s.
Answer: Option (1) — cm/s.