It would mean that you could not know the precise volume of the sand. Only the volume of the sand plus the water that was making it damp.
In the experiments listed, the effects are easy to deduce by understanding that the water in the sand adds volume to the 'sample' being measured.
So in the case of calculating air space you would calculate <em>less</em> air space.
Answer: If there is a higher friction, the opposition force is higher so that it can reduce our speed. So, a factor that affects friction is the roughness or smoothness of the surface of the object. In comparison of the table with the fabric, the fabric will have a more opposition force. As the surface of the fabric is usually rougher than the surface of a smooth table. As there is more friction on a fabric, we will feel more opposition force on our finger tip.
Hope it helped! :>