ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Clay chemistry

Clay chemistry is all about the tiny particles that make up clay. These particles are so small that you can't see them with your eyes or even a microscope.

Think about how you can make things with playdough. You can mold it into different shapes, and it stays in that shape until you change it again. Clay is like super-powered playdough!

Clay is made up of different minerals, like kaolinite, montmorillonite, and illite. These minerals have a lot of special properties, like stickiness and absorbency.

When you add water to clay, the tiny particles start to stick together and form a gummy material. This material can be molded into different shapes and it will stay in that shape because the particles are holding onto each other.

The minerals in clay also have a lot of surface area, which means they can absorb things like water, oils, and even toxins. This is why clay is sometimes used in face masks and other beauty products - it can help absorb impurities from your skin!

So, in summary, clay chemistry is about the tiny particles that make up clay and how they interact with each other and with other things like water and oils. These particles have special properties that make clay great for molding into shapes and absorbing impurities.
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