MINERALS

S6E5 Students will investigate the scientific view of how earth’s surface is formed. b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.

Content Objective SW know what a mineral is, the properties to identify different minerals, and an example of a mineral

What is a mineral? A naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure.

Examples of Minerals

Minerals are made of elements An element is a substance that can’t be chemically separated or broken down into smaller substances

To identify a mineral: SNIFC it out! Solid Cannot be a liquid or a gas Naturally Occurring Found in nature, not man-made Inorganic Is not alive and never was, non-living (generally not made from Carbon) Fixed composition Has a chemical formula, most are formed from compounds of two or more elements, some minerals consist of one element ex. Au Crystal Form A definite structure in which atoms are arranged

Two groups of minerals Silicate= Contains compounds of silicon & oxygen. Nonsilicate= Does not contain silicon & oxygen.

Silicate or Nonsilicate? Quartz (made of silicon and oxygen)

Silicate or Nonsilicate? Fluorite (made of fluoride & calcium)

Mineral? Water Teeth Honey Solid Naturally Occurring Inorganic (nonliving) Fixed composition Crystal Form Oxygen Wood

Summary How do you tell if something is a mineral?

Graphite

Fluorite