When moving rock and dirt, which quantity remains constant?

• A. The Color of the Soil
• B. Moisture Content
• C. The Weight of the Soil Particles
• D. The Volume of the Voids

Answer: (C)

Mass of the solid particles stays the same when you move rock and dirt. You’re not creating or destroying solid material, so the amount of solid matter in the soil doesn’t change; it’s just rearranged. What can change are the things that go with it: moisture content can vary with rainfall or drying, and the volume of voids depends on how tightly the grains are packed (compaction). Color can change with moisture, oxidation, or contamination, so it isn’t a constant either. So the best answer is that the weight (mass) of the soil particles remains constant.