Study Figure 16.10 in your textbook. Choose the option that puts the particles in order from greatest shear stress required to first move them from a stream bed, to least shear stress first required to move them from a stream bed.
A) 0.1 mm sand grain, 0.01 mm silt grain, 10 mm gravel grain, 0.001 mm clay grain
B) 0.001 mm clay grain, 10 mm gravel grain, 0.1 mm sand grain, 0.01 mm silt grain
C) 0.001 mm clay grain, 10 mm gravel grain, 0.01 mm silt grain, 0.1 mm sand grain
D) 10 mm gravel grain, 0.001 mm clay grain, 0.01 mm silt grain, 0.1 mm sand grain

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The particles must be ordered from least shear stress required to move them from a stream bed to greatest. The smallest particles, clay grains, are the most easily moved by water and require the least shear stress to be displaced from the stream bed. Next, the largest particles, gravel grains, require the most shear stress to be displaced from the stream bed. Therefore, option C correctly orders the particles from least to greatest shear stress required: 0.001 mm clay grain, 10 mm gravel grain, 0.01 mm silt grain, 0.1 mm sand grain.