what is a mineral?. to be considered a mineral, the object must possess all 5 of the following...
TRANSCRIPT
What is a Mineral?
What is a Mineral?
To be considered a mineral, the object MUST possess all 5 of the following characteristics…
5 Things Define a Mineral…
1. Occurs naturally 2. It is a solid at room temperature 3. Definite chemical composition (elements
are combined in a definite proportion) 4. Crystal structure due to the internal
arrangement of atoms (atoms inside are arranged in an orderly pattern)
5. Inorganic (not living and not formed from anything that was once living)
What defines a mineral?
Mineral or Not?
Is quartz a mineral? YES! – all 5 things that define a mineral
can be applied to quartz. Is a pearl a mineral? NO! - it is ORGANIC. It is made from
secretions of living things. Is glass a mineral? NO! – does not occur naturally
What about Diamond?
Is diamond a mineral? YES! – Technically. It’s 10 on Moh’s
Hardness scale. What could be the debate about this though???
The debate can be made that it comes from coal and coal is ORGANIC, it’s made from the breakdown of living things like plants.
Mineral Groups
Group 1 – The Silicates Made up of Si (silicon) and O (oxygen) plus a
metal. Most abundant group of minerals in the world! The silica tetrahedron (1 silicon, 4 oxygen) is
the building block of ALL silicate minerals! Examples:
– Quartz, mica, feldspars
Mineral Groups
Group 2 – The Sulfides Made of S (sulfur) plus a metal Examples: Galena, Sphalerite Group 3 – The Sulfates Made of SO4 (1 sulfur, 4 oxygens) plus
a metal Example: Gypsum
Mineral Groups
Group 4 – The Oxides Made of O (oxygen) plus a metal. Examples: Hematite, Magnetite Group 5 – The Halides Made of Cl (Chloride) plus a metal. Examples: Halite (salt), Fluorite
Mineral Groups
Group 6 – The Carbonates Made of CO3(1 carbon, 3 oxygen) plus metal. Examples: Calcite, Dolomite This group has a special property – the
minerals will fizz when acid is applied! Group 7 – The Phosphates Made of PO4 (1 phosphor, 4 oxygens) plus
metal. Example: Apatite
Native Minerals
Native minerals are minerals that are made of only one element.
Examples: Gold (Au), Silver(Ag), Copper(Cu)
Other examples?
Mineral Properties
There are several properties that minerals have that can be studied and tested in order to identify an unknown mineral.
Mineral Properties
Color Luster Streak Hardness Cleavage Fracture Crystal Form/Shape
Density Specific Gravity Magnetism Reaction to acid Taste Fluorescence Double Refraction
Mineral Properties – How do we I.D. a mineral?
Internal Arrangement of Atoms
The internal arrangement of atoms in a mineral are what give the mineral most of it’s PHYSICAL properties:
Crystal form/shape Hardness Cleavage Fracture
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Some Mineral Pictures!
Amethyst Quartz
Rose Quartz
Some Mineral Pictures!
Galena – Mrs. Weber’s
favorite mineral!!
Pyrite – commonly known as “fools gold”
Some Mineral Pictures!
Muscovite Mica
Halite – NaCl - Salt
Some Mineral Pictures!
Fluorite
Sphalerite
Some Mineral Pictures!
Orthoclase Feldspar
Hematite
Pg. 16
ESRT!
(Back
Cover)
More ESRT Help – Pg. 1 (cover)
2.5 Fingernail
3.5 Copper Penny5.5 Glass
6.5 Steel File
1. Talc
2. Gypsum
3. Calcite
4. Fluorite
5. Apatite
6. Feldspar
7. Quartz
8. Topaz
9. Corundum
10. Diamond
Moh’s Hardness Scale
7 Streak Plate
Softest
Hardest