The soil type that aids cohesiveness in other soil types is ________.

The soil type that aids cohesiveness in other soil types is ________.

• A. Sand
• B. Clay
• C. Colloids
• D. Silt

Answer: (C)

Colloids are the tiny, highly charged particles in soil that act like cement between larger grains. Their very small size and surface charges let them coat and bind other particles—such as sand or silt—helping those soils form cohesive, stable aggregates. Sand by itself is coarse and lacks binding; silt has limited cohesive strength; clay is itself a colloidal material, but the broader concept of colloids describes the agents that improve cohesion across soil types. So, the presence of colloids explains why soils that aren’t inherently cohesive can gain stability and strength when colloidal particles bind them together.

Colloids are the tiny, highly charged particles in soil that act like cement between larger grains. Their very small size and surface charges let them coat and bind other particles—such as sand or silt—helping those soils form cohesive, stable aggregates. Sand by itself is coarse and lacks binding; silt has limited cohesive strength; clay is itself a colloidal material, but the broader concept of colloids describes the agents that improve cohesion across soil types. So, the presence of colloids explains why soils that aren’t inherently cohesive can gain stability and strength when colloidal particles bind them together.