minerals a mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a definite structure and...
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Minerals
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a definite structure and composition.
Mineral formation
Magma crystals from solution
Mineral Composition Groups
Silicates: contain silicon and oxygen
Mineral Identification(physical properties)
Appearance Hardness Luster Color Streak
Cleavage vs Fracture
Appearance
What does the mineral look like?
Hardness
How easily a mineral can be scratched Mohs Hardness scale
Mohs Hardness Scale
Softest Hardness of Common Objects
Talc 1
Gypsum 2 fingernail (2.5)
Calcite 3 piece of copper (3.5)
Fluorite 4 iron nail (4.5)
Apatite 5 glass (5.5)
Feldspar 6 steel file (6.5)
Quartz 7 streak plate (7)
Topaz 8
Corundum 9
Diamond 10
Hardest
Luster
How light reflects off the surface of a mineral. Examples: metallic, dull, pearly, glassy, silky
Color
The color of the mineral.
Streak
The color of a mineral when it is powdered. Use streak with metallic minerals.
Hematite
Cleavage vs Fracture
Cleavage is when a mineral breaks along a smooth flat surface.
If a mineral fractures the break is random or jagged.
Malachite(no-cleavage)
Mineral Identification
Luster: metal or nonmetal metals we streak test, then test hardness nonmetals we test hardness, starting with
glass: is the mineral harder or softer than glass
Use of Minerals
Gems: rare and beautiful minerals of value. Ores: contain useful minerals that can be
mined at a profit.