Question

Match the soil particle size to its characteristics. Responses may be used more than once.

26. Soils with many of this type of particle are chemically active.

Soils composed of mainly this type of particle drain quickly.
A) Sand
B) Silt
C) Clay

Answer 1

The correct answer is option C) clay soils are chemically active due to the small size and high surface area of clay particles. Sandy soils drain quickly because of their larger particle sizes creating increased pore spaces for water to pass through.

Step-by-step explanation:

Particle size in soils has a significant impact on their characteristics, particularly in terms of the drainage capacity and chemical activity of the soil. Clay particles, being very small, often result in soils that are highly chemically active due to their vast surface area and capacity to retain water and nutrients. In contrast, sand particles are comparatively larger and this facilitates quick drainage as the pore spaces between the particles are larger, allowing water to move through more swiftly.

Answering the student's question: Soils with many clay particles are chemically active because of their small particle size and high surface area. Soils composed mainly of sand particles drain quickly because of their relatively larger particle size and the consequent larger pore spaces. Option C) is correct answer.