Solved UPSC CDS/OTA Question
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Q · Mineralsmedium · 45s
Which mineral is the main component of beach sand?
TopicMinerals
Question Typemultiple choice
Difficultymedium
Marking+1 / −0.33
Test Duration30 min
Step-by-Step Solution
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Quartz is the dominant mineral in most beach sands due to its exceptional durability and resistance to weathering. Its hardness (7 on Mohs scale) and chemical stability allow quartz grains to survive transport and abrasion better than other common minerals. While some beaches may contain significant amounts of feldspar, shell fragments, or volcanic minerals, quartz typically predominates in temperate coastal environments.
Final Answer: Option A - Quartz