Final answer:
The sedimentary rock with a gritty texture like coarse sandpaper is Sandstone. It consists primarily of sand-sized quartz grains and can be found in various environments, often displaying visible bedding and differing colors based on its mineral content.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sedimentary rock described by the student in the question is Sandstone. Sandstone is well-known for its gritty texture, which can feel like coarse sandpaper due to its sand-sized mineral grains, primarily composed of quartz. This characteristic gritty texture and the presence of sand-sized grains are what differentiate it from other sedimentary rocks, like shale, which has a much finer grain size and feels smooth to the touch.
Sandstone forms in various environments such as beaches, deserts, and riverbeds. The grains in sandstone are often rounded and because of its porous nature, it can serve as an important reservoir for water and petroleum. The color of sandstone can vary greatly but it is commonly found in tan, yellow, red, gray, and white hues. Notably, the presence of iron oxide can give sandstone a reddish color.
Regarding the geological features, sandstones often display visible bedding and may include sedimentary structures such as cross-bedding, but these features might not be as observable in small hand specimens as they are in larger outcrop exposures.