Which particles can wind move most easily? Sand, silt, pebbles, or gravel? I put sand but my teacher marked it wrong. Would it be silt? Pebbles and gravel are pretty heavy.

It would be silt due to the weight of the particles...

You are correct in assuming that pebbles and gravel are too heavy to be moved easily by wind. However, the answer can vary depending on the size and shape of the particles being considered. In general, it is silt and smaller particles that are most easily moved by wind. Silt particles are smaller than sand particles and have a smoother texture, which allows them to be easily lifted and carried by wind. So, if your teacher marked sand as incorrect, silt would likely be the correct answer in this context.

To determine which particles wind can move most easily, we need to consider a property known as "settling velocity." Settling velocity refers to the speed at which particles of different sizes and shapes fall or settle through a fluid medium, such as air or water.

In general, wind has the ability to move lighter particles more easily than heavier particles. The settling velocity of a particle is influenced by its size, shape, density, and the properties of the fluid medium it is moving through.

Out of the options you provided—sand, silt, pebbles, and gravel—silt particles are the ones that can be moved most easily by wind. Silt consists of fine particles with a size range between sand and clay. Due to their small size and relatively low density, silt particles can be easily lifted and transported by wind. They have a slower settling velocity compared to sand, pebbles, and gravel, which makes them prone to being carried by even light winds.

Sand particles are typically larger and denser than silt particles. Although sand can be moved by wind, it requires stronger winds or more turbulent air currents to pick up and transport sand particles effectively. As for pebbles and gravel, their larger size and higher density make them considerably more resistant to wind movement. They usually require much stronger winds, such as during a sandstorm or a tornado, to be lifted and transported through the air.

Therefore, your initial answer of sand was incorrect. The correct answer would be silt based on its smaller particle size and lower density compared to the other options given.