11 Difference Between Silt and Clay

Silt and clay both are the result of the chemical as well as a physical breakdown of the minerals which are present in the rock. Both silt and clay are classified as fine-grained soils.

Here, In this article, you will get to know the difference between silt and clay.

Table of Contents

What Is Silt?

Silt is a granular material good night ranges between sand and clay. The size of the silt ranges between 75 microns to 2 microns. It is difficult to mould silty soil into a particular shape because it has less plasticity. Silt has more permeability because of the less density of the particles. Silt has less dry strength.

Also Read: What Is a Spillway | Types of Spillway | Definition Spillway | Spillway Design

What Is Clay?

Clay has one of the finest sizes of particles. The clay has the ability to hold water and the size of the clay particle is less than 2 micron.

Clay can be moulded into any desired shape because clay has more plasticity. Clay particles are more closely packed which results in more density so that clay had less permeability. The clay has a larger surface area due to its smaller particle size.

Silt Vs Clay

The difference between silt and clay are as follows.

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Silt	Clay
The particle size of the silt ranges between 75 microns to 2 microns.	The particle size of the clay is less than 2 microns.
Silt has less water holding capacity as compared to clay.	Clay has more water holding capacity.
If you touch wet silt by your hand you will feel very smooth.	If you touch clay with your hands it will be sticky.
The silt has less surface area as compared to the clay.	The clay particles have a larger surface area because of its very small size.
Silt has a uniform and non-sticky particles.	The particles of the clay are sticky in nature.
The silt particles have a limited ability to retain the plant nutrients in the soil.	Clay has good retention of plant nutrients in the soil.
Silt is difficult to mould into a particular shape.	Clay is very easy to mould into any shape.
Silt has a less dry strength.	Clay has greater dry strength as compared to the silt.
Silt has more permeability.	Clay has less permeability.
Silt has less density because the gap between the silt particles is more.	Clay has more Density because the particles in the clay are very closely packed.
The silty soil has less plasticity.	Clay has more plasticity as compared to the silt.

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Difference Between Silt and Clay

Silt particles are 0.05 to 0.002 mm and feel similar to flour when dry. Clay particles are extremely fine — smaller than 0.002 mm. They feel sticky in your fingers when wet and clump to the point that you can’t see an individual particle without a microscope.

Silt and Clay Difference

They main difference is in chemical composition and particle size. Silt is composed of silicate minerals, or those containing silicon and oxygen. Clay is composed of metal silicates, or silicates with metals like magnesium or aluminum associated with it.

Sand, Silt, Clay Size

Starting with the finest, clay particles are smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter. Some clay particles are so small that ordinary microscopes do not show them. Silt particles are from 0.002 to 0.05 mm in diameter. Sand ranges from 0.05 to 2.0 mm.

Difference Between Sand, Silt and Clay

The largest, coarsest mineral particles are sand. These particles are 2.00 to 0.05 mm in diameter and feel gritty when rubbed between your fingers. Silt particles are 0.05 to 0.002 mm and feel similar to flour when dry. Clay particles are extremely fine — smaller than 0.002 mm.

Sand, Silt Clay Smallest to Largest

The particles that make up soil are categorized into three groups by size: sand, silt, and clay. Sand particles are the largest and clay particles the smallest. Although a soil could be all sand, all clay, or all silt, that’s rare. Instead most soils are a combination of the three.

Characteristics of Sand, Silt and Clay

Sandy soils feel gritty when rubbed between your fingers. Silts feel smooth – a little like flour. Most clays are sticky and mouldable. If you’ve ever used pottery clay, you’ll know the feeling.

What Is the Difference Between Sand, Silt and Clay Worksheet Answers?

Sand is a loose granular material formed by the disintegration of rock, while silt is a dust-like sediment material transported and deposited by water, ice, and wind. Clay, on the other hand, is a type of extremely fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals.

Is Clay Smaller Than Silt?

Starting with the finest, clay particles are smaller than 0.002 mm in diameter. Some clay particles are so small that ordinary microscopes do not show them. Silt particles are from 0.002 to 0.05 mm in diameter.

Is Silt Smaller Than Sand?

Silt particles are from 0.002 to 0.05 mm in diameter. Sand ranges from 0.05 to 2.0 mm. Particles larger than 2.0 mm are called gravel or stones. Most soils contain a mixture of sand, silt and clay in different proportions.

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