The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
Minerals occur in various geological environments and are found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Their formation is influenced by processes such as cooling, solidification, deposition, and evaporation.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Minerals do occur in sedimentary rocks. In these rocks, minerals are typically found in beds or layers. They form through deposition, accumulation, and concentration in horizontal strata. Important minerals such as bauxite, limestone, and iron ore are often found in sedimentary formations.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Gypsum, potash salt, and sodium salt are examples of minerals formed as a result of evaporation. This process is particularly common in arid regions where the evaporation of water from mineral-rich solutions leads to the precipitation of these minerals.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Coal is primarily classified as a sedimentary rock (specifically, an organic sedimentary rock), formed from the accumulation and lithification of plant debris over millions of years. While anthracite (the highest grade of coal) is considered metamorphic due to the high pressure and heat involved, coal generally is not classified as a metamorphic mineral. Furthermore, minerals are strictly defined as inorganic substances, whereas coal is organic.
Key Takeaway: Sedimentary rocks contain minerals in layers formed by deposition or evaporation (e.g., gypsum), and coal is fundamentally an organic sedimentary rock, not a metamorphic mineral.