answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

When you add water to clay you will notice more swelling than you will when adding water to sandstone. This is due to clay being more permeable than sandstone. This allows clay to absorb and retain water at a quicker rate.

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

βˆ™ 6mo ago

Clay has a smaller particle size compared to sandstone, which allows it to absorb and hold more water in between its particles. This water absorption causes the clay to swell more than sandstone when saturated with water. Additionally, clay minerals have a higher affinity for water molecules due to their inherent chemical composition, further contributing to their swelling behavior.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago

due to ion exchange and change in salinity.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 11y ago

..

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why does clay swell more than sandstone?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Earth Science

Is shale also known as sandstone?

No, shale and sandstone are two distinct types of sedimentary rocks. Shale is composed of very fine-grained particles, while sandstone is composed of sand-sized grains that are visible to the naked eye.


Is granite or sandstone more expensive?

Granite is generally more expensive than sandstone due to its durability, unique appearance, and higher demand in the market. Sandstone is more readily available and less costly to extract and process, making it a more budget-friendly option for homeowners or builders.


How are sandstone and siltstone alike and different?

Sandstone and siltstone are both sedimentary rocks formed from the deposition of grains of sand and silt, respectively. However, sandstone typically has larger grain sizes compared to siltstone, giving it a coarser texture. In terms of composition, siltstone has a higher proportion of clay-sized particles than sandstone.


Which is the oldest rock sandstone or shale?

Sandstone is typically older than shale, as sandstone forms from the consolidation of sand particles through compaction and cementation, while shale forms from the compaction of clay and silt particles. Sandstone is generally associated with sedimentary environments that occurred earlier in geological history compared to those where shale forms.


What holds more water sand silt or clay?

Clay holds more water than sand and silt. Clay particles are smaller and create a denser structure that can hold water more effectively than the larger particles of sand and silt.

Related questions

Does quartzite break more easily than sandstone?

No. Sandstone is usually weaker than quartzite.


How does the process that turns clay into shale differ from the process that turns sand into sandstone?

Clay turns into shale through compaction and cementation of fine clay particles, while sand turns into sandstone through the same process but with larger sand particles. Additionally, shale tends to have a more pronounced layering due to the smaller particle size of clay compared to sand, which results in a finer-grained texture in shale compared to sandstone.


Why would sandstone not be a good choice for roof tiles?

Sandstone is not a good choice for roof tiles because it is softer and more porous than traditional roofing materials like clay or concrete. This can lead to weathering, erosion, and water absorption, making it more prone to damage and leaks over time. Sandstone can also be more expensive and require more maintenance compared to other roofing materials.


Is shale also known as sandstone?

No, shale and sandstone are two distinct types of sedimentary rocks. Shale is composed of very fine-grained particles, while sandstone is composed of sand-sized grains that are visible to the naked eye.


Why does clay hold more water than sand and silt?

Clay is not more porous than sand. Porous means permeable by fluids, so, sand is more porous than clay.


What rock is harder than sandstone?

Granite is typically harder than sandstone. Granite is an igneous rock that forms from the cooling of molten magma, making it more dense and resistant to abrasion compared to sandstone, which is a sedimentary rock.


Is granite or sandstone more expensive?

Granite is generally more expensive than sandstone due to its durability, unique appearance, and higher demand in the market. Sandstone is more readily available and less costly to extract and process, making it a more budget-friendly option for homeowners or builders.


Why would sandstone break more easily than quartzite?

In quartzite the grains are essentially welded together under pressure, which holds them together much more strongly than the fairly weak cementation in sandstone.


How would you put the word sandstone in a sentence?

The magnificent sandstone cliffs rose high above the river, creating a stunning natural landscape.


How are sandstone and siltstone alike and different?

Sandstone and siltstone are both sedimentary rocks formed from the deposition of grains of sand and silt, respectively. However, sandstone typically has larger grain sizes compared to siltstone, giving it a coarser texture. In terms of composition, siltstone has a higher proportion of clay-sized particles than sandstone.


Which is the oldest rock sandstone or shale?

Sandstone is typically older than shale, as sandstone forms from the consolidation of sand particles through compaction and cementation, while shale forms from the compaction of clay and silt particles. Sandstone is generally associated with sedimentary environments that occurred earlier in geological history compared to those where shale forms.


How is shale and sandstone different?

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of clay and silt particles, while sandstone is a coarse-grained sedimentary rock made up of sand-sized grains. Shale tends to form in low-energy environments like deep ocean basins, while sandstone forms in high-energy environments like rivers and beaches. Sandstone is generally more porous and permeable than shale, making it a better reservoir rock for oil and gas.