What term describes the movement of water through soil particles?

The movement of water through soil particles is best described by the term percolation. This process involves the downward flow of water through the soil profile, where it moves from larger pores to smaller pores due to gravitational forces and pressure differences. It is a crucial aspect of the hydrological cycle as it helps to recharge groundwater supplies, move nutrients, and maintain soil moisture levels which are vital for plant health.

For understanding percolation in the context of soil science, it is important to recognize how it differs from other processes related to water movement. Capillarity, for instance, refers to the ability of water to move through small spaces in the soil against gravity, largely due to surface tension. This is not the same as percolation, which primarily focuses on gravitational flow.

Transpiration pertains to the process where water is absorbed by plant roots and then evaporated from aerial parts, primarily the leaves, into the atmosphere. This is a physiological process involving plants rather than soil.

Infiltration describes how water initially enters the soil surface but does not specifically refer to the movement of that water through the soil once it's in. Thus, while infiltration is an important concept linked to soil water dynamics, it does not encompass the ongoing movement of water through soil