The correct answer is: sand, clay, and silt.
Soil is made up of different particles of varying sizes. These particles can be classified into three main categories based on their size: sand, clay, and silt.
1. Sand: This is the largest particle size in soil. Sand particles are visible to the eye and feel gritty when rubbed between your fingers. They are the largest and have a diameter ranging from 0.05 mm to 2 mm. Sandy soil feels coarse and drains water quickly.
2. Clay: Clay particles are the smallest in size, with a diameter of less than 0.002 mm. They are not visible to the eye and feel sticky and smooth when wet. Clay soil holds water well but can become compacted and hard when dry.
3. Silt: Silt particles have a medium size, larger than clay but smaller than sand. They have a diameter ranging from 0.002 mm to 0.05 mm. Silt feels soft and smooth, similar to flour. Silty soil has good water-holding capacity and is fertile.
To summarize, the three parts of soil that are classified by their particle size are sand, clay, and silt. Sand is the largest particle, clay is the smallest, and silt is medium-sized. Each type of soil particle has different characteristics that affect water drainage, nutrient retention, and overall soil fertility.