Question

Which material requires the most amount of water for the slope to fail, and which requires the least? Why do you think this was the case?

a) Granite - Most; Clay - Least; Due to particle size
b) Sand - Most; Gravel - Least; Due to cohesion
c) Clay - Most; Sand - Least; Due to particle size
d) Gravel - Most; Granite - Least; Due to water absorption

Answer 1

Clay requires the most amount of water for slope failure due to its fine particles and high water retention. Sand requires the least amount of water due to its larger particles and lower water retention.

Step-by-step explanation:

Clay requires the most amount of water for the slope to fail, while sand requires the least.

This is due to the particle size of each material.

Clay is made up of fine particles, which create small spaces for water to reside, leading to high water retention and a higher chance of slope failure.

On the other hand, sand is made up of larger particles, which have fewer spaces for water to reside, resulting in lower water retention and a lower risk of slope failure.