Rocks, Soils and Minerals

Rocks are found all over the Earth. 

Not all rocks are the same. They don't all look the same and they are not all made of the material.

Different kinds of rocks are found in different places on Earth. 

Sand has the largest particles.

Sand contains the mineral quartz.

Sand has different colors because it comes from different- colored rocks.

Sand has large air spaces between the particles. Water flows easily through the spaces, so sand does not hold water well.

The particles of silt are smaller than those in sand.

Silt feels more smooth when you touch it. 

Silt holds water better than sand does. 

Rivers carry silt from one place to another. When a river floods the land, the water leaves silt behind.

Clay is the kind of soil with the smallest particles.

 If you squeeze some clay in your hand, it feels sticky and smooth. 

Clay can be different colors, but most clay looks reddish or brown.

Clay holds water very well.

Many soils are a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. These soils are called loam. 

 Loam feels crumbly.

Most kinds of plants grow best in loam. It holds water well.