Final answer:
The mineral that demonstrates the greatest resistance to weathering is quartz, due to its chemical stability and hardness. Quartz remains intact during both mechanical and chemical abrasion, in contrast to minerals like feldspar, which can transform into clay through weathering processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary mineral that demonstrates the greatest resistance to weathering is quartz. Quartz is highly resistant due to its chemical composition, which includes chemically pure silica or silicon dioxide. Layered upon resistance to high temperatures and chemical weathering, quartz also showcases a significant hardness, having the ability to scratch glass according to the Mohs' scale of mineral hardness. Its resilience is evidenced by its presence in sand, which often consists of weathered quartz grains because quartz is the most stable through the weathering process.
Clastic sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, illustrate how quartz can endure the mechanical and chemical abrasion that occurs during erosion. Indeed, the breakdown of feldspar into clay through weathering signals the comparison, as feldspar is another abundant mineral that, unlike quartz, transforms with exposure to weathering and erosion. Consequently, the prevalence of quartz in coarse-grained rocks with interlocking crystal structures further exemplifies its ability to withstand weathering forces over time.