What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline, solid with a definite chemical composition.

A substance is a mineral if it is: Solid not gas not liquid

A substance is a mineral if it is Naturally Occurring must be found in nature was not made in the laboratory

A substance is a mineral if it is Inorganic not made from a living thing does not contain chains of carbon atoms

A substance is a mineral if it has a Crystal Structure Atoms arrange themselves in an orderly fashion to create regular geometric patterns

Crystal Palace - Mexico http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/a-night-of-exploration/galleries/into-the-lost-crystal-caves/at/mirrors-chamber-topography-1697354/ http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/explorer/videos/a-dangerous-beauty/

A substance is a mineral if it has a Definite Chemical Formula Gold (Au) Calcite (CaCO3) Quartz (SiO2) Pyrite (FeS2)

Formation of Minerals Evaporation Process Minerals can form when solutions evaporate and the materials dissolved in the water crystallize.

Formation of Minerals Volcanic Process As magma and lava cool, minerals crystallize. Some atoms are stable and do not combine.

Formation of Minerals Heat and Pressure Heat, pressure and chemical change deep inside the Earth create minerals. They form from existing minerals that are transformed by the heat and pressure.

Mineral Facts More than 4000 minerals have been identified. New minerals are still being discovered. NJ is one of two places in the world that have more different minerals than any other place on Earth!

Composition of the Earth’s Crust 98.5% of Earth’s Crust is made of: -Oxygen (O) -Silicon (Si) -Aluminum (Al) -Iron (Fe) -Calcium (Ca) -Sodium (Na) -Potassium (K) -Magnesium (Mg) mostly in combination with one another.

Most Common Minerals Silicates – 92% of all minerals contain oxygen and silicon 9 minerals make up 99% of Earth: feldspar, pyroxene, mica, olivine, dolomite, quartz, amphibole, clay, calcite Silicon Dioxide – also known as quartz (large pieces) or sand (small pieces) makes up 75% of the Earth’s crust!

Feldspar

Pyroxene

Mica

Olivine

Dolomite

Quartz

Amphibole

Clay

Calcite

Most minerals are made of chemically combined (bonded) elements Most minerals are made of chemically combined (bonded) elements. These minerals are grouped according to the elements in them. We call these mineral families. Oxides – have oxygen in them Halides – have halogens in them Sulfides – have sulfur in them Carbonates – have CO3 in them Sulfates – have SO4 in them Silicates – have SiO4 in them

Most elements combined to make minerals but some did not. Called the Native Minerals (one element alone) Also called Native Elements Copper (Cu) Gold (Au) Sulfur (S)

Ore – rock that contains minerals that can be mined Iron Ore Gold Ore

Alloy – mixture of two or more minerals Pewter = tin + copper + lead + antimony Bronze = copper + tin Solder = tin + lead Stainless Steel = iron + chromium + nickel

BRASS Used to make medical instruments and equipment due to its antimicrobial properties Used to make spark proof tools used by fire departments and other safety professionals to avoid sparking fires during gas leaks or confined space entry Brass = copper + zinc

Every American Requires 40,000 Pounds of New Minerals per Year at this level of consumption the average newborn infant will need a lifetime supply of: -795 lbs of lead (car batteries, electric components) -757 lbs of zinc (to make brass, rubber, paints) -1500lbs of copper (electrical motors, wirings -3593 lbs aluminum (soda cans, aircraft) -32,700 lbs of iron (kitchen utensils, automobiles, buildings) -28,213 lbs of salt (cooking, detergents) -1,238,101 lbs of stone, sand, gravel, cement (roads, homes, etc.)