Final answer:
A rock is more resistant to chemical weathering when it contains minerals that were formed at higher temperatures, such as quartz. Minerals like olivine, which form at higher temperatures, tend to be less resistant to weathering at the Earth's surface conditions. The type and stability of the minerals in the rock dictate its resistance to weathering processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A rock is more resistant to chemical weathering when it contains minerals that were formed at higher formation temperatures. Weathering is the process that breaks down existing Earth materials, including rocks of the crust, into smaller particles. These particles can consist of different kinds of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica, gathered from the disintegration of rocks like granite. The resistance of a rock to weathering is influenced by its mineral composition and the stability of those minerals.
Quartz, for example, is a mineral that exhibits a great resistance to mechanical and chemical abrasion during erosion, making it a common component of sand. In contrast, feldspar weathers chemically to form clay. Rocks that contain a high amount of quartz are therefore more resistant to weathering. On the other hand, the presence of minerals like olivine, which crystallizes at higher temperatures, can indicate lower resistance to weathering at Earth's surface conditions.
Over time, weathered materials may undergo further transformations, forming sedimentary rocks through cementation, or even metamorphic rocks through heat and pressure that alter the rock's structure and composition, as seen with quartzite. All rocks, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, are formed under certain temperatures and pressures, which dictate their stability and subsequent resistance to weathering processes.