What are some differences between sand and dirt?

Answer 1

The term dirt is not a technical term at all.

However, the term sand is defined as a mineral particle between 1/16th and 2 mm in largest dimension. No composition is implied.

The term dirt implies clays and organic material mixed with silt, sand, and (perhaps) granule or gravel sized material. Dirt is more of a layman's term for soil.

Answer 2

Dirt can mean various things, and I'm going to guess you mean soil as found in a garden (rather than in a nappy). Calling sand ground up rock isn't too far away from the truth. Soil can contain some of that too along with clay, other stuff, and something called humus. That's recycled organic material or, should you prefer, something like ground up bits of plant. Try planting seeds in sand and they won't grow. Plant them in soil and they may well do. Much of the reason why has to do with the humus in soil, a kind of foodstuff for new plants. That's much of the reason, not the entire explanation.

Answer 3

Sand is made up or ground rocks. Dirt is made up of biological material.