Question

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soil texture triangle diagram with clay (%), silt (%), sand (%) axes, and regions like clay, silty clay, etc.

the usda soil texture calculator can help you answer this question if you can’t see the diagram.

1. based on the soil texture diagram, which percentages of sand, clay, and silt would result in sandy clay?

a. 50 percent sand, 40 percent clay, 10 percent silt
b. 60 percent sand, 10 percent clay, 30 percent silt
c. 20 percent sand, 60 percent clay, 20 percent silt
d. 80 percent sand, 10 percent clay, 10 percent silt

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Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the soil texture triangle for sandy clay

In a soil texture triangle, the three axes represent sand (%), clay (%), and silt (%). For sandy clay, we expect a relatively high percentage of sand and clay, and low silt.

Step2: Evaluate each option

• Option A: 50% sand, 40% clay, 10% silt. Check the triangle: 50 sand, 40 clay, 10 silt falls in the sandy clay region (since sand ~50, clay ~40, silt ~10, which matches the sandy clay area's composition).
• Option B: 60% sand, 10% clay, 30% silt. Low clay (10%) and higher silt (30%) – this would be sandy loam or similar, not sandy clay.
• Option C: 20% sand, 60% clay, 20% silt. Low sand (20%) – this is clay or silty clay, not sandy clay.
• Option D: 80% sand, 10% clay, 10% silt. Low clay (10%) – this is sand or loamy sand, not sandy clay.

Answer:

A. 50 percent sand, 40 percent clay, 10 percent silt