Final answer:
The most common mineral expected to be found after seawater evaporation is sodium chloride (NaCl), also known as salt, due to its relative abundance and lower solubility compared to other salts in seawater. Potassium is a minor component and forms part of potash via purification processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When seawater is evaporated, the mineral you would expect to find the most of is sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as salt. Although seawater does contain potassium, it is a minor component compared to other elements such as sodium and chlorine that form sodium chloride. In the process of evaporation, water molecules transition from a liquid to a gaseous state, leaving behind dissolved salts that eventually crystallize out.
Approximately 3.5% of seawater is dissolved solids, dominated by sodium and chloride ions, with other ions such as magnesium, calcium, and sulfate also present. The selective crystallization process that occurs during evaporation typically results in the formation of sodium chloride before other salts because it is more abundant and has a lower solubility than some of the other salts present in seawater.
Potassium, being less prevalent and more soluble than sodium chloride, is not the primary mineral left behind by the evaporation of seawater. Instead, it may form part of potash, a term used for several potassium-contained compounds that are used as fertilizers. However, these are often produced through specific purification steps to concentrate the potassium from other salts, most notably sodium chloride.