human
I've heard that there are a few different types of sand. Can you explain the differences?
assistant
Sand is made up of grains of various sizes, shapes and mineral compositions. Commonly referred to as quartz sands, they can be divided into three main categories - quartz arenites, quartz arenoids and quartz turbidites. Quartz arenites are composed of quartz grains with rounded edges and flat surfaces. These grains typically form in sedimentary environments such as riverbeds or beaches. Quartz arenoids are similar to quartz arenites but have sharper edges. They form when quartz grains are broken down by weathering processes. Lastly, quartz turbidites are formed from large amounts of quartz grains which have been fragmented by physical forces.