Which one of the following may contain maximum potassium concentration?

Correct option is C

1. Rhyolite:
· Correct.
· Rhyolite is a felsic igneous rock with a high silica content and is rich in potassium feldspar and quartz.
· It often contains potassium-bearing minerals such as orthoclase and microcline, giving it a high potassium concentration.
2. Diorite:
· Incorrect.
· Diorite is an intermediate igneous rock containing moderate amounts of plagioclase feldspar and biotite, with less potassium than rhyolite.
3. Andesite:
· Incorrect.
· Andesite is also an intermediate igneous rock, but it has a lower potassium content compared to rhyolite due to the dominance of plagioclase feldspar over potassium feldspar.
4. Basalt:
· Incorrect.
· Basalt is a mafic igneous rock with low potassium content. It is rich in calcium and magnesium but deficient in potassium minerals.
Thus, rhyolite contains the maximum potassium concentration among the given options, as it is a felsic rock enriched with potassium feldspar.
Information Booster: 1. Potassium-Rich Rocks:
· Felsic rocks (e.g., rhyolite and granite) are enriched with potassium feldspar and silica.
· Intermediate rocks (e.g., diorite and andesite) have moderate potassium content.
· Mafic rocks (e.g., basalt) have low potassium content due to the dominance of mafic minerals like pyroxene and olivine.
2. Minerals Containing Potassium:
· Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase, Microcline): Common in felsic rocks.
· Biotite: Found in intermediate to felsic rocks but in smaller quantities.
3. Geochemical Trends:
· Potassium concentration increases with silica content.
· Felsic rocks like rhyolite are typically formed in continental crust settings, which are potassium-rich.
Additional Knowledge: · Rhyolite Composition:
· 70% silica content.
· Rich in potassium feldspar and quartz, making it potassium-rich.
· Potassium in Igneous Rocks:
· Potassium content decreases as rocks become more mafic.
· Felsic rocks (rhyolite, granite) > Intermediate rocks (andesite, diorite) > Mafic rocks (basalt).
· Applications of Potassium-Rich Rocks:
· Used as a source of potassium in agriculture and industrial applications.