Think about the differences in various soil types. What type of soil or Earth material does the following list of characteristics BEST describe?

Question

*Feels smooth
*Has moderate amount of air space
*Holds water well
*Becomes slippery when wet
Responses
A clayclay
B gravelgravel
C sandsand
D silt

Answer 1

The characteristics you've listed best describe A) clay. Here's a breakdown of how clay aligns with the provided characteristics:

• Feels smooth: Clay particles are very fine, which gives it a smooth texture.
• Has moderate amount of air space: While clay does have some air space, it is not as porous as sand or gravel.
• Holds water well: Clay has a high water-holding capacity due to its small particle size and ability to swell when wet.
• Becomes slippery when wet: Clay can become quite slippery when wet due to its fine texture and the way water interacts with the clay particles.

Therefore, the correct choice is A) clay.