Minerals

Minerals which are naturally existing chemical compounds.

Minerals can be identified by their physical properties.

What are the four characteristics of a mineral? Naturally occurring Crystal Structure/Chemical Substance Inorganic/ Non-Living Solid

Natural A mineral must occur naturally in the Earth’s crust. It cannot be man made.

Inorganic A mineral must be inorganic rather than organic. Organic materials are formed from living things. Minerals must be made from things that were never alive.

Solid A mineral is always a solid. It can never be a liquid or a gas.

Pattern / Chemical Substance / Crystal Structure A mineral’s atoms are arranged in a definite pattern. This repeating pattern is called a crystal.

Elements! The two most common elements in the Earth’s crust are oxygen and silicon. (#5)

Silicate Minerals Minerals that contain silicon and oxygen are silicate minerals. Silicate minerals make up 90% of the earth’s crust. The other 10% are non-silicate minerals.

The most common classification of minerals is based on chemical composition. Minerals are classified based on chemical composition in two groups. What are these two groups? 1. Silicates 2. Nonsilicates #4 & #5

Common Types of Silicate Minerals Quartz- Basic Building block of many rocks

Common Types of Silicate Minerals Feldspar – Main component of most rocks on earth’s surface

Common Types of Silicate Minerals Mica – Mica minerals separate into sheets easily when they break

Minerals that contain combinations of silicon and oxygen in their chemical structure are called silicates and minerals without silicon and oxygen are called nonsilicates.

The structure of a crystal is made by a repeating pattern of atoms The structure of a crystal is made by a repeating pattern of atoms. The largest crystals are formed as superheated rocks slowly cool. Where are these large crystals formed? Underground near magma.

Non-Silicate Minerals Minerals that do not contain oxygen or silicon are non-silicate minerals!!! Some of these minerals are made up of elements like carbon, oxygen, fluorine, and sulfur!!!

Minerals we use all the time

Minerals Carbonates building stones Cement fireworks. Fireworks

Minerals Halides Detergents chemical industry Detergent

Minerals Paint Oxides Abrasives Paint airplane parts.

Minerals Sulfates Paint Cement Toothpaste cosmetics Toothpaste

Minerals Batteries Sulfides batteries electronic parts medicines

Mineral or NOT?

Mineral or Not? ??? Wood NOT It was living

Wood NOT – once living

Mineral or Not? ??? Wood NOT It was living

Mineral or Not? ??? Gold YES

Mineral or Not? ??? Fossil NOT It was living

Mineral or Not? ??? Topaz YES

Mineral or Not? ??? bone NOT It is living

Mineral or Not? ??? Granite YES

Mineral or Not? ??? Quartz YES

Mineral or Not? ??? Pearls NOT Made by oysters

Mineral or Not? ??? Talc YES

Mineral or Not? ??? Diamond YES

Mineral or Not? ??? coal NOT Was once living material – plants Sedimentary rock

Mineral or Not? ??? Rock Salt YES