Question

which of the following are arranged in order of increasing (smallest to largest) particle size?
silt → clay → sand
sand → clay → silt
clay → silt → sand

Explanation:

To determine the correct order of increasing particle size (smallest to largest) among clay, silt, and sand, we recall the standard particle size classification in soil science (a subfield of Natural Science, specifically related to Geography or Environmental Sciences). Clay particles are the smallest, followed by silt, and then sand (which has the largest particles among these three).

• Analyzing the first option: silt → clay → sand is incorrect because clay is smaller than silt.
• Analyzing the second option: sand → clay → silt is incorrect as sand is larger than both clay and silt, and clay is smaller than silt.
• Analyzing the third option: clay → silt → sand follows the correct order of increasing particle size (clay is smallest, then silt, then sand).

Answer:

clay → silt → sand (the third option)