Minerals Shaping our Crust

Minerals 5 Characteristics Solid

Solids Solids have definite shapes & volumes Solids have definite shapes & volumes Liquids & gases … Liquids & gases … Able to expand & contract easily Able to expand & contract easily volume changes along w/ their density volume changes along w/ their density Therefore: density can ID a mineral Therefore: density can ID a mineral

Minerals 5 Characteristics SolidInorganic Naturally Occurring

Naturally Occurring/ Inorganic Formed by natural processes Formed by natural processes Inorganic: can never have been living Inorganic: can never have been living Non-Ex/ Coal, Sugar Non-Ex/ Coal, Sugar Lab made rocks are NOT minerals Lab made rocks are NOT minerals Ex/ industrial diamonds Ex/ industrial diamonds

Minerals 5 Characteristics SolidInorganic Specific Composition Definite Crystal Structure Naturally Occurring

Definite Crystal Sructure Crystals: solids w/ atoms arranged in repeating patterns. Crystals: solids w/ atoms arranged in repeating patterns. The formation and size of crystals depend on the environment they formed in. The formation and size of crystals depend on the environment they formed in.

Specific Chemical Composition Most minerals made of compounds Most minerals made of compounds Few are made of one element Few are made of one element Ex/ Diamond (C), Gold (Au), Sulfur (S), etc. Ex/ Diamond (C), Gold (Au), Sulfur (S), etc. Quartz Quartz Combination of Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O), or SiO 4 Combination of Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O), or SiO 4 The amount and arrangement of these elements are unique to quartz The amount and arrangement of these elements are unique to quartz