What is the difference between dirt and sand.?

Question

Why is sand on a beach instead of just plain old dirt?

Answer 1

Sand has no earth mixed in its structure. It is composed of ground up pieces of rock, coral and other hard formations. Sand is usually granular and larger pieces than is found in dirt. It drains well and is used in planters that need good drainage, as for cacti and other desert plants. Sand is used in construction and sand boxes for the same reason. The larger size granules allow cement and rock to hold together better. Whereas in the sand box the water/rain drains away quickly.

Dirt is composed of some sand, clay and deteriorated plant and animal matter. Dirt has the ability to grow plant life because it contains usable minerals and other organisms that plants need to take in through their root system. It holds water well, long enough for plants to absorb the dissolved food they need to grow.

Answer 2

Sand is primarily silicon dioxide, in a granular form.

Dirt is much more general and is usually synonymous with soil. It usually contains one or many of the following: Sand, clay, powered minerals, organic matter, and perhaps a few earthworms and moles, for good measure.

Answer 3

dirt is what you track in on your mothers clean floor; sand is at the beach;and soil is a growing medium for plants

Answer 4

sand comes from the erosion of rocksin the sea. This causes sandy beaches. dirt comes from the decomposition of animals and poop.

Answer 5

Basically.. dirt consists of organic materials and also that of clay.. Sand is silica

Answer 6

Dirt comes from decay, as in dead plants and animals, even (eww!) people. Sand is ground rock that is constantly washed by water, washing away decay.

Answer 7

complicated point. research onto a search engine. that will might help!

Answer 8

very confusing point. browse on to yahoo. that could help!