Why is clay particularly important in determining many soil characteristics?
I. clay particles have the smallest surface area relative to other soil particles
II. each clay particle has negative electrical charge on its outer surface to attract mineral ions
III clay is the most porous of the soil particles
IV. clay is the largest of the soil particles
A) I
B) II
C) III
D) IV
E) I and II

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clay particles have the smallest surface area relative to other soil particles, and each clay particle has a negative electrical charge on its outer surface to attract mineral ions. These two factors make clay particularly important in determining many soil characteristics, such as water-holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, and soil structure.

Why Is Clay Particularly Important in Determining Many Soil Characteristics