Loam is coarser than which soil type?

Loam is coarser than which soil type?

• A. Silt
• B. Sand
• C. Loam
• D. Clay

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is how soil texture relates to particle size. Clay contains the smallest particles, followed by silt, then sand. Loam is a balanced mix that includes a meaningful amount of sand along with silt and some clay. Because of that sand content, loam’s overall texture is coarser than clay’s fine, floury texture. So loam is coarser than clay. It’s not described as coarser than sand, since sand particles are typically larger than those in loam, and loam sits between fine textures and sandy textures rather than being coarser than sand.

The key idea here is how soil texture relates to particle size. Clay contains the smallest particles, followed by silt, then sand. Loam is a balanced mix that includes a meaningful amount of sand along with silt and some clay. Because of that sand content, loam’s overall texture is coarser than clay’s fine, floury texture. So loam is coarser than clay.

It’s not described as coarser than sand, since sand particles are typically larger than those in loam, and loam sits between fine textures and sandy textures rather than being coarser than sand.