Question

Chemical weathering involving complete disintegration or modification in structure and composition of primary minerals is –

• A. Hydration
• B. Oxidation
• C. Hydrolysis
• D. Carbonation

Hint:

Hydrolysis alters minerals most thoroughly—especially silicates like feldspar into clay.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Hydration only adds water to the surface, no structural breakdown.
Step 2: Oxidation and carbonation act only on specific elements/minerals, a partial effect.
Step 3: Hydrolysis replaces lattice cations with \( \text{H}^+ \), breaking the mineral's internal bonds entirely.
Step 4: The correct answer is \[ \boxed{\text{Hydrolysis}} \]