Which type of weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals in rocks?

Chemical weathering is the process that involves the chemical alteration of minerals within rocks. This type of weathering occurs when minerals react with water, acids, or gases in the environment, leading to changes in their chemical composition. For example, feldspar can chemically weather into clay minerals when it reacts with carbonic acid in rainwater, illustrating how specific minerals can be transformed through chemical reactions.

In contrast, physical weathering (also known as mechanical weathering) refers to the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical structure. This process includes actions such as freeze-thaw cycles or abrasion from wind and water, which do not involve any change in the minerals themselves.

Soil formation, while related to weathering, involves the processes through which rock and organic material combine to create soil, not specifically the alteration of minerals in rock. Therefore, the essence of the question lies in the specific transformation of mineral composition, making chemical weathering the correct choice.