Which particle is the largest in soil?

In soil science, sand particles are indeed the largest of the commonly recognized soil particle sizes, which also include silt and clay. Sand has a larger diameter, typically ranging from 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm. This larger size means that sandy soils tend to have good drainage and aeration properties, but they also hold less moisture and nutrients compared to finer particles like clay and silt.

Gravel, while larger than sand, is not typically classified within the standard soil texture triangle, which specifically focuses on sand, silt, and clay to determine soil texture. Thus, in the context of typical soil texture analysis, sand is considered the largest particle size among the options provided in this question. Understanding soil particle sizes is essential for assessing soil behavior, nutrient delivery, and water retention, which are critical factors in agriculture and environmental management.