What shape is commonly associated with clay particles?

Clay particles are commonly associated with a platy shape. This means they are thin and flat, resembling plates or flakes. This platy structure allows clay particles to easily stack and align, which contributes to some of their unique properties, such as plasticity and cohesiveness when wet. The arrangement of these particles affects how clay behaves in various applications, including pottery, construction, and soil science.

In contrast, other shapes like globular, spherical, or angular do not accurately represent the typical morphology of clay particles. Globular and spherical shapes suggest rounded, three-dimensional forms that are more characteristic of larger sediment grains or different types of soil particles. Angular shapes indicate sharp edges and corners, which are more often found in coarser materials like sand or gravel. Thus, platy is the most precise descriptor for clay particle morphology.