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water holding capacity in soil vs sand

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When dry soil is crushed in the hand, it can be seen that it is composed of all kinds of particles of different sizes.

Most of these particles originate from the degradation of rocks; they are called mineral particles. Some originate from residues of plants or animals (rotting leaves, pieces of bone, etc.), these are called organic particles (or organic matter). The soil particles seem to touch each other, but in reality have spaces in between. These spaces are called pores. When the soil is "dry", the pores are mainly filled with air. After irrigation or rainfall, the pores are mainly filled with water. Living material is found in the soil. It can be live roots as well as beetles, worms, larvae etc. They help to aerate the soil and thus create favourable growing conditions for the plant roots.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/r4082e/r4082e1n.gif

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http://www.teachertube.com/video/soil-and-water-retention-100005

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The retention of water in Clay

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ond_-SsiWE8

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQoFsSXixUc

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The water holding capacity of a soil is a very important agronomic characteristic. Soils that hold generous amounts of water are less subject to leaching losses of nutrients or soil applied pesticides. This is true because a soil with a limited water holding capacity (i.e. a sandy loam) reaches the saturation point much sooner than a soil with a higher water holding capacity (i.e. a clay loam). After a soil is saturated with water, all of the excess water and some of the nutrients and pesticides that are in the soil solution are leached downward in the soil profile.

www.agvise.com/educational-articles/water-holding-capacity

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Sandy soil has very coarse grains. This makes it difficult for them to hold water. Therefore sandy soils is dry and very light. The plants planted in sandy soil will need to be watered frequently.
Clay soil is typically very fine-grained and is able to retain water very easily. The water retention properties of clay soil makes it very suitable for dry season planting. However its water drainage properties are very poor.
Silt is typically very rich in nutrients and water. It is considered a very fertile soil. It has very good drainage properties and is also able to retain water.

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 The soil's ability to retain water is strongly related to particle size; water molecules hold more tightly to the fine particles of a clay soil than to coarser particles of a sandy soil, so clays generally retain more water.

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 The soil's ability to retain water is strongly related to particle size; water molecules hold more tightly to the fine particles of a clay soil than to coarser particles of a sandy soil, so clays generally retain more water.

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Soil Retention Compared To Sand Retention. 

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Soil Retention Compared To Sand Retention. 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1qjo7uC_nY

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Pores provide for the passage and/or retention of gasses and moisture within the soil profile. The soil's ability to retain water is strongly related to particle size; water molecules hold more tightly to the fine particles of a clay soil than to coarser particles of a sandy soil, so clays generally retain more water. Conversely, sands provide easier passage or transmission of water through the profile. Clay type, organic content and soil structure also influence soil water retention.

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https://youtu.be/xO48IbeuiPMhttps://youtu.be/xO48IbeuiPM

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Soils can process and hold considerable amount of water. They can take in water, and will keep doing so until they are full, or until the rate at which they can transmit water into and through the pores is exceeded. Some of this water will steadily drain through the soil (via gravity) and end up in the waterways and streams, but much of it will be retained, despite the influence of gravity. Much of this retained water can be used by plants and other organisms, thus contributing to land productivity and soil health.

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The soil's ability to retain water is strongly related to particle size; water molecules hold more tightly to the fine particles of a clay soil than to coarser particles of a sandy soil, so clays generally retain more water. Conversely, sands provide easier passage or transmission of water through the profile. 

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The soil's ability to retain water is strongly related to particle size; water molecules hold more tightly to the fine particles of a clay soil than to coarser particles of a sandy soil, so clays generally retain more water. Conversely, sands provide easier passage or transmission of water through the profile. 

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Taken from Wikipedia.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_water_(retention)