* Clay: Clay particles are the smallest, typically less than 0.002 millimeters in diameter. Their tiny size allows them to pack tightly together, creating a dense and often sticky material.
* Silt: Silt particles are slightly larger than clay, ranging from 0.002 to 0.05 millimeters. They are finer than sand, but not as fine as clay, resulting in a less dense texture.
* Sand: Sand particles are the largest of the three, ranging from 0.05 to 2 millimeters. Their larger size prevents them from packing as tightly as clay or silt, making sand a much looser material.
In summary: Clay is the thickest due to its extremely fine particles that pack densely together.