Here's why:
* Quartz (SiO2) is a very stable mineral with a strong silicon-oxygen bond. It resists chemical attack from acids, bases, and other weathering agents.
* Other minerals: Many other minerals in igneous rocks, like feldspars, are susceptible to chemical weathering processes such as hydrolysis, oxidation, and dissolution.
Therefore, quartz is often found as a residual mineral in weathered igneous rocks. It can be seen as sand grains in beaches and sedimentary rocks, a testament to its resistance to weathering.
