What does the nuclear meter measure in soil analysis?

The nuclear meter primarily measures the moisture content of the soil. This device uses radioactive isotopes to detect the amount of water present in soil samples. The core principle of its operation relies on the attenuation of the radiation as it passes through the soil; the more moisture present, the more radiation is attenuated.

This measurement is crucial in various applications such as assessing soil for construction projects, agricultural practices, and environmental studies. Knowing the moisture content helps in understanding the soil's behavior under different conditions, ultimately influencing decisions related to soil management and engineering.

While other factors like particle size distribution, unit weight, and plasticity are important characteristics of soil, they are assessed using different methods and instruments, not the nuclear meter.