Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks Definition of a mineral Natural Inorganic Solid Possess an orderly internal structure of atoms Have a definite chemical composition Rock – any naturally occurring solid mass of mineral or mineral-like matter
Rocks are Aggregates of Minerals
Atoms: Building Blocks of Minerals Smallest particles of matter Elements Basic building blocks of minerals Over 100 are known Defined by their number of protons Groups of the same type of atoms
Periodic table of the elements
Minerals Physical properties of minerals Habit – common crystal shape Luster – appearance in reflected light Color Streak – color of mineral in powdered form Hardness – ability to resist scratching or abrasion Cleavage – tendency to break along planes of weak bonding
Metallic Luster: Galena
Color Color can be unreliable due to variations.
Streak
Crystal Shape, or Habit: Pyrite
Hardness: Mohs Scale
Cleavage: Micas
Minerals Physical properties of minerals Fracture – random pattern of breakage Specific gravity – mineral density Tenacity – resistance to cutting, breaking, bending, and deformation
Conchoidal fracture
Minerals Other properties Taste Smell Elasticity Malleability Double refraction Magnetism Feel Reaction with hydrochloric acid