Eli5: what exactly is clay? How is it different from regular dirt or loam?
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It’s the size of the particles. Clay particles are so fine that you can’t feel them with your fingers so it feels smooth. Only certain minerals are even capable of being so fine. These “clay minerals” also tend to have a very thin plate-like shape under a microscope. Because the particles have a flat shape, they have a lot of surface area, so they have a tendency to be really cohesive and stick together.
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