When you dig a hole why does it take more dirt to fill it then what was taken out of the hole?

Answer 1

It does not. If anything, the opposite should happen. The dirt removed from the hole had been compacted and settled from years of weathering.
When you put dirt back in the hole, it is loose and aerated, so it should form a slight mound, if you put back all of the dirt you remove.

Answer 2

No, the same amount of dirt taken out is equal to the amount that is required to be put back in the reason why it seems to take more dirt is that they contents that you remove have been "sifted" in a way therefore is finer than the dirt coming out. When the dirt is put back into the hole the newly sifted dirt fills more gaps than it originally did giving it the sense that it needs more dirt to fill the hole.

Answer 3

That is an excellent question! They tell me it really doesn't but that it blows away and starts sifting back into the grass or ground areas where you are piling the dirt. But I think someone is secretly behind me with another shovel and taking it to make me think I'm crazy!! LOL! I'm just kidding, but I will be waiting to read the rest of the answers you get. I've always been curious about that myself. But then again how often do you refill the hole back up anyway?

Answer 4

This is an old wives tale, but it works. Only dig holes when the moon is full - you will have enough dirt to fill it.

Answer 5

this is true. it will take more dirt to fill or not enough to fill the hole . it has to do with the phases of the moon. same question why does the moon control the tides

Answer 6

The soil in the hole that you removed had been packed in place over time. When you put this soil back in the hole you leave air space which fills in were soil was originally

Answer 7

There are too many rocks in the hole.