Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Water Erosion Mechanics & USLE
Subtopic: Kinetic energy of falling raindrops
Question Statement:
In water erosion mechanics, the detachment of soil particles is predominantly driven by:
Options:
(A) Kinetic energy of falling raindrops (splash erosion)
(B) Viscous drag force of laminar sheet flow
(C) Subsurface capillary tension
(D) Chemical leaching of silica
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Raindrop splash is the primary agent of detachment in inter-rill and sheet erosion, pulverizing soil clods with immense impact kinetic energy ($KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2$), while overland flow acts primarily as a transporting agent.