Question:
The most common 1:1 type of clay mineral in soil is--
The most common 1:1 type of clay mineral in soil is--
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Kaolinite = 1:1 clay mineral, low shrink-swell, common in weathered soils.
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- Montmorillonite
- Kaolinite
- Vermiculite
- Halloysite
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The Correct Option is B
Approach Solution - 1
Kaolinite is the most common 1:1 clay mineral, meaning it has one tetrahedral sheet and one octahedral sheet per layer.
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Approach Solution -2
Elimination approach:
2:1 clay minerals have two tetrahedral sheets sandwiching one octahedral sheet, giving them high shrink-swell capacity. Montmorillonite and Vermiculite are both classic 2:1 minerals, so they are ruled out. Halloysite is essentially a hydrated, tubular form of kaolinite but is far less abundant in soils. That leaves Kaolinite, a 1:1 mineral (one tetrahedral + one octahedral sheet held by hydrogen bonding, low shrink-swell, low CEC) as the most widespread 1:1 clay in weathered, tropical and sub-tropical soils.
2:1 clay minerals have two tetrahedral sheets sandwiching one octahedral sheet, giving them high shrink-swell capacity. Montmorillonite and Vermiculite are both classic 2:1 minerals, so they are ruled out. Halloysite is essentially a hydrated, tubular form of kaolinite but is far less abundant in soils. That leaves Kaolinite, a 1:1 mineral (one tetrahedral + one octahedral sheet held by hydrogen bonding, low shrink-swell, low CEC) as the most widespread 1:1 clay in weathered, tropical and sub-tropical soils.
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