Wednesday 1/31/18 Notebook Entry: Why do you think minerals have different colors? For example quartz comes in different colors.

is naturally occurring A mineral… is naturally occurring forms by inorganic processes (not from something that is or was once living)

has a crystal structure (particles line up in a pattern) A mineral… is a solid has a crystal structure (particles line up in a pattern)

A mineral has a definite chemical composition (always contains certain elements) CaF2 = Flourite

Element: a substance made up of only one kind of atom

Why do you think minerals are important to Montana Why do you think minerals are important to Montana? (Hint: think about the meaning of our state motto “oro y plata”) Oro y plata = gold and silver 2 minerals that we mine in MT

Copper

Learning Target I can write a scientific explanation for how the uneven distribution of Earth’s mineral resources are the result of past and current geology processes. 

Copper Production The USA is the second largest producer of copper in the world. Chile is 1st! The largest copper mine is found in Utah (Bingham Canyon). Other major mines are found in Arizona, Michigan, New Mexico and Montana.

How Do We Use Copper Today? building construction power generation and transmission electronic product manufacturing the production of industrial machinery and transportation vehicles Copper wiring and plumbing are essential to the appliances, heating and cooling systems, and communications used every day in homes and businesses. Copper is an essential component in the motors, wiring, radiators, connectors, brakes, and bearings used in cars and trucks. The average car contains 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mile) of copper wire, and the total amount of copper ranges from 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in small cars to 45 kilograms (99 pounds) in luxury and hybrid vehicles.

Part 1: “If it can’t be grown, it has to be mined.” Research Question: Why is copper only found in certain parts of the world? Part 1: “If it can’t be grown, it has to be mined.”

3 TYPES OF MINING Underground Mining = used to access minerals VERY far below the surface. Strip Mining = used to mine minerals that are located close to the surface. Open Pit Mining= used to extract resources at the surface, but can go deeper

Natural Resource Materials made from Earth’s processes that we mine from the Earth for our use. Ore = A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.