Why do Rocks and Sand have no smell?

Question

When clean and dry, sand and even most rocks have no smell. Why does something that has been created (over lots of years) from decaying matter and dirt smell so clean?

Answer 1

Rocks and sand are compressed solid units either rocks or grains of sand. They are not emitting any particles so they can't be smelled. The sand could get into your nose, but each grain won't have a smell because it is not giving off anything to smell.

The nose works by detecting very tiny particles, if an object isn't emitting any particles then there will be no odder.

Answer 2

In order for something to have a smell, it must release molecules of its substance into the air; i.e. it must have some volatility. The molecules of rock and sand are very tightly bound (as in many other solid materials), so they cannot escape. In addition, the escaped molecules must have some chemical activity to produce a reaction in the nose to activate the sense of smell; the silica molecules of sand and rock are very inactive.

Answer 3

well, there is one rock that smells, its called sphalerite. when you scratch it against another rock it'll smell like rotten eggs. the smell comes from the sulphur. sand doesn't smell because its only made of silicone and oxygen. the only other way for a rock to have a "smell" would be if it contained something to be smelled, like sulphur.

Answer 4

i think that rocks and sands have no smell because they are made by inorganic substances or they are very expose from such contigents like water and wind, so(water and wind) they time after time "brush"rocks and sand and maybe this is the reason that they dont have smell,bye

Answer 5

Simply put;
You smell vapors and gasses.
Rocks are solids and don't release the above at normal temp.s.