What is the primary difference between clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks?

The primary distinction between clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks lies in their formation processes. Clastic rocks originate from the accumulation and consolidation of particles derived from the weathering of pre-existing rocks. These particles, or clasts, can vary in size and are cemented together over time, forming various types of clastic sediments based on the size of the particles involved.

On the other hand, chemical sedimentary rocks form through processes involving precipitation of minerals from water, which can occur in body of waters like lakes or oceans. In these environments, dissolved minerals can crystallize out of solution as water evaporates or as conditions change, leading to the deposition of materials like limestone or rock salt. This chemical process is what differentiates them from the physically derived nature of clastic rocks.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core difference in the formation of these rock types. For instance, while some clastic rocks may contain organic materials or even fossils, this is not a definitive characteristic that distinguishes them from chemical rocks. Similarly, granularity is not a strict rule, as both clastic and chemical rocks can be found in varying sizes from coarse to fine particles. Thus, focusing on the processes of formation captures the essential difference between these two categories of sediment