Sulfuric acid's effect on rocks I am no chemist, nor did I pick up much understanding of chemical reactions in school. But I would like a basic understanding of how "reactive" and "potent" sulfuric acid is on rock; i.e., whether or not, and if so, how fast it would dissolve or otherwise affect the rock. Now, I know there are various types of rocks, and I'm sure this question could be too broad if not narrowed to some extent. So let me give some specifics.

My questions

Assuming a highly concentrated sulfuric acid (98%; but weaker, if perchance that would be more potent against the particular rock):


Will the sulfuric acid affect (dissolve or otherwise) it at all (and the ideal concentration to do so)?
If it affects it, then:


how fast would it dissolve/otherwise a solid piece of rock (not powder), say 1 cubic inch (though I'm looking for rate answers, so whatever the evidence gives as a rate works)?
Is rate affected by pressure (i.e., the rock "sitting" in the acid versus a pressurized spray of the acid on it)?
How much faster(?) would it dissolve it if the rock was powdered?
What are the general products/results left after the effect?



Igneous Rocks


Basalt
Gabbros, which apparently has a large amount of pyroxene and plagioclase
Granite


Sedimentary Rocks


Limestone
Dolomite


Metamorphic Rocks

(Perhaps the chemically diverse make-up of these rocks makes answering not feasible.)


Marble (perhaps reacts similar to limestone, "Geologists use the term 'marble' to refer to metamorphosed limestone"?)
Slate


While I have no problems with you giving in your answer the chemical reactions involved, I desire at least a "laymen's" summary of what occurs to each.

(Also, feel free to re-tag if there are some viable tags I was not aware of.)
This question probably cannot be answered correctly without conducting any experiment.

However, I would not expect that any of the rocks given would be dissolved by highly concentrated sulfuric acid. None of them has a composition that may completely result in the formation of soluble salts when reacting with sulfuric acid.

Presumably (hot?) dilute sulfuric acid may be able to dissolve parts of the rocks if they are powdered. E.g. $\ce{Na2O}$, $\ce{K2O}$, $\ce{MgO}$, and up to a small amount $\ce{CaO}$ and $\ce{Al}$.

Hydrochloric acid would do better since it forms soluble salts not only with Na, K, Mg, Fe, and Al but also with Ca. E.g. it could almost completely dissolve limestone, dolomite, and marble.