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Clay is very made up of very small tightly fitting particles and is non-porous and does not absorb water, which is why it is used to make pottery and ceramics. Sand is larger particles and can absorb large quantities of water.

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What holds more water sand silt or clay?

Clay holds more water than sand and silt. Clay particles are smaller and create a denser structure that can hold water more effectively than the larger particles of sand and silt.


Why does Clay absorb water better than topsoil and Sand?

Clay has a higher surface area and increased binding capacity, allowing it to hold more water than topsoil and sand. The small particle size and microscopic pores in clay soil help to retain water through adhesion and cohesion forces, making it more effective at absorbing water. Sand, on the other hand, has larger particles and gaps between them, leading to less water retention capability compared to clay.


does clay or loam soil holds the most water?

Loam soil holds more water than clay soil. This is because loam soil is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, which allows for better drainage and moisture retention compared to pure clay soil, which tends to compact and hold water tightly.


Would clay or sand be easily washed away by rain?

sand


Does sand retain more waterthan clay or compost?

No, because the particles of sand are fairly large so are the spaces between them for water to drain so sand doesn't retain much water at all. Clay are very tiny particles which fit closely together and don't allow much room for water to pass between them and so clay holds water very well. Compost also holds water very well but for a different reason. The organic material in compost absorbs water and holds onto it. That is one reason why people put it around the plants in their gardens, to retain water.

Related Questions

Do plant grow better in clay or sand?

plants that like water grow better in clay and plant that don't like water grow better in sand. like cactus


What can hold more water clay or sand?

I would think clay because it has more density water would go right through sand :)


What holds more water sand silt or clay?

Clay holds more water than sand and silt. Clay particles are smaller and create a denser structure that can hold water more effectively than the larger particles of sand and silt.


Why does Clay absorb water better than topsoil and Sand?

Clay has a higher surface area and increased binding capacity, allowing it to hold more water than topsoil and sand. The small particle size and microscopic pores in clay soil help to retain water through adhesion and cohesion forces, making it more effective at absorbing water. Sand, on the other hand, has larger particles and gaps between them, leading to less water retention capability compared to clay.


Why is a lake with a clay bottom able to hold more than a lake with a sand bottom?

Because clay is harder and if you put water on sand then it will just sink in. Tehehehe


does clay or loam soil holds the most water?

Loam soil holds more water than clay soil. This is because loam soil is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, which allows for better drainage and moisture retention compared to pure clay soil, which tends to compact and hold water tightly.


Why does clay hold more water than sand and silt?

Clay is not more porous than sand. Porous means permeable by fluids, so, sand is more porous than clay.


How is clay different from sand?

Clay is soft and sand is like sand water


How come water passes through sand better than clay?

because sand has small grains and allows water to travel through it. Clay has smaller grains than sand and doesn't allow water to travel through it quickly.


Is it better to plant radish seeds in clay or sand?

it is better in sand


Why does clay soil retain more water than loam and sand?

Clay soil has smaller particles, which create more surface area for water molecules to adhere to. This allows clay soil to retain water better than loam and sand, which have larger particles with less surface area for water retention. Additionally, the small particles in clay soil can hold water tightly due to their structure and composition.


Do seeds grow better in clay or sand?

Sand ofcourse