What is specific capacity in relation to groundwater?

Specific capacity in relation to groundwater refers to the rate at which water can be extracted from a well per unit of drawdown in the water level. It is a measure of the well's performance, typically expressed in gallons per minute per foot of drawdown. This means that specific capacity provides insight into how effectively a groundwater source can be utilized, which is critical for water resource management.

The correct answer reflects an important concept in hydrogeology, as it directly relates to the efficiency of a well and the ability of an aquifer to supply water. Groundwater professionals use specific capacity to assess well productivity and make decisions about water supply for various uses.

The other options, while related to weight and volume, do not accurately capture the essence of specific capacity. They focus on physical properties such as weight and volume of particles or substances, which do not pertain to the extraction and yield of water from wells. Thus, they do not address the core concept of how a well functions in extracting groundwater resources.