Multiple choice

Hygroscopic water is attached to the soil particle by means of a force called

  1. Osmosis

  2. Diffusion

  3. Capillarity

  4. Imbibition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hygroscopic water is held as a thin film around soil particles by imbibition forces - the attraction between water molecules and colloidal soil particles. It's so tightly held that plants cannot absorb it. Osmosis and diffusion are water movement processes, not attachment forces. Capillarity is water movement in narrow spaces due to surface tension.