* Clay as a rock: Clay is a type of sedimentary rock formed from the weathering and erosion of other rocks. It's made up of very fine particles (less than 0.004 mm in diameter) of minerals like kaolinite, illite, and montmorillonite.
* Clay as a soil component: Clay is one of the soil textures. It's a major component in many soils, contributing to their properties like water retention and drainage.
In short: Clay is a rock when it's a solid, geological material. However, when broken down into smaller particles and mixed with other soil components, it becomes a soil component.
