Which type of soil generally exhibits better cohesion compared to sandy soil?

Clay is the type of soil that generally exhibits better cohesion compared to sandy soil. This is due to the small particle size and plate-like structure of clay particles, which allows them to stick together more effectively. The fine particles create a high surface area-to-volume ratio, resulting in stronger interactions between particles through cohesive forces, such as electrostatic attraction and adhesion.

In contrast, sandy soil consists of larger particles that do not adhere to one another as readily, leading to lower cohesion and greater drainage capabilities. While other soil types like silt or loam may have some cohesive properties, they do not match the extent of cohesion that clay possesses, mainly because silt has smaller particles than sand but does not have the same level of attraction between particles as clay, and loam is a mix that balances properties of sand, silt, and clay but is not exclusively cohesive like clay.