SWS3022 Exam 3 Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
Be able to define an acid. - ✔✔Any substance that increases the hydrogen ion
concentration in a solution.
Know the two ions considered acids in soils. - ✔✔Hydrogen (H+) and Aluminum
(Al3+).
Understand how aluminum contributes to soil acidity - ✔✔Hydrolosis.
Al(H2O)6 3+ = Al(H2O)5(OH) 2+ and H+
Understand the two basic types of soil acidity discussed in class. - ✔✔Active and
exchangeable acidity.
Know the relationship between pH and H+ concentration in solution. - ✔✔High pH =
low H+ concentration
Low pH = high H+ concentration
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025 1
, Understand the meaning of % base saturation with respect to soil acidity. - ✔✔an
expression of the relative amounts of non-acidic cations to acid cations on the exchange
sites. (exchangeable bases/CEC).
Understand why many Florida soils tend to be acidic. - ✔✔Due to low base saturation
and the weathering of soils which releases Al3+.
Be able to define a base. - ✔✔Any substance that decreases the hydrogen ion
concentration of a solution.
Be able to identify the most common base used to raise pH and how it works to change
solution pH. - ✔✔Calcium carbonate
Ca dissociates from CO3 and binds with H+ with CO3 to make bicarbonate and
neutralizes
Understand soil pH buffering. - ✔✔Basically a soil's resistance towards pH change.
Understand the relationship between CEC and % B.S. in terms of the ease or difficulty
in raising pH. - ✔✔CEC determines the number of negative sites and base saturation
determines the number of sites are occupied by acid cations. Higher CEC and/or base
saturation requires more liming.
Know the principal cause of soil salinity and alkalinity. What is the major effect relative
to plants of high soil salinity? - ✔✔Alkalinity: low rainfall, exchange sites are
dominated by base cations, and there is a presence of carbonates
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025 2
Answers 100% Pass
Be able to define an acid. - ✔✔Any substance that increases the hydrogen ion
concentration in a solution.
Know the two ions considered acids in soils. - ✔✔Hydrogen (H+) and Aluminum
(Al3+).
Understand how aluminum contributes to soil acidity - ✔✔Hydrolosis.
Al(H2O)6 3+ = Al(H2O)5(OH) 2+ and H+
Understand the two basic types of soil acidity discussed in class. - ✔✔Active and
exchangeable acidity.
Know the relationship between pH and H+ concentration in solution. - ✔✔High pH =
low H+ concentration
Low pH = high H+ concentration
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025 1
, Understand the meaning of % base saturation with respect to soil acidity. - ✔✔an
expression of the relative amounts of non-acidic cations to acid cations on the exchange
sites. (exchangeable bases/CEC).
Understand why many Florida soils tend to be acidic. - ✔✔Due to low base saturation
and the weathering of soils which releases Al3+.
Be able to define a base. - ✔✔Any substance that decreases the hydrogen ion
concentration of a solution.
Be able to identify the most common base used to raise pH and how it works to change
solution pH. - ✔✔Calcium carbonate
Ca dissociates from CO3 and binds with H+ with CO3 to make bicarbonate and
neutralizes
Understand soil pH buffering. - ✔✔Basically a soil's resistance towards pH change.
Understand the relationship between CEC and % B.S. in terms of the ease or difficulty
in raising pH. - ✔✔CEC determines the number of negative sites and base saturation
determines the number of sites are occupied by acid cations. Higher CEC and/or base
saturation requires more liming.
Know the principal cause of soil salinity and alkalinity. What is the major effect relative
to plants of high soil salinity? - ✔✔Alkalinity: low rainfall, exchange sites are
dominated by base cations, and there is a presence of carbonates
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025 2
