24.1k views
3 votes
Which of the following minerals is an especially common chemical weathering product?

1) diamond
2) pyroxene
3) clay
4) calcite
5) plagioclase feldspar

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Clay is the especially common chemical weathering product among the listed minerals. It forms through the chemical alteration of minerals like feldspar and mica, contributing to soil formation and the makeup of soil horizons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The especially common chemical weathering product among the minerals listed is clay. Chemical weathering processes break down rocks and minerals through chemical reactions, often involving water and atmospheric gases. Among the outcomes of these reactions, the formation of clay minerals is frequent, as elements like potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium leach out of rock and are replaced by water, leading to the creation of new, stable compounds under surface conditions. Clay is therefore a typical product of the alteration of minerals such as feldspar and mica through hydrolysis.

Chemical weathering influences soil formation, as the weathered minerals contribute to the makeup of soil horizons, providing nutrients and structure. These processes are intricately connected to the breakdown and alteration of rocks over time, affecting soil composition and fertility. For example, the weathering of calcite found in limestone can contribute to soil overlying the limestone, though the resulting soil may be less fertile due to the potential for lower acidity, hindering the availability of some nutrients.

User Jalal Rasooly
by
9.0k points