Minerals, Ores and Fossil Fuels Earth’s resources have properties that make them important and useful.

Properties Properties that determine the usefulness of an ore or mineral may be identified using a chart, diagram, or dichotomous key. There are two types of properties: Physical Properties - characteristics that can be observed or measured without changing the matter’s identity Chemical Properties – characteristics that describe matter based on its ability to change into new materials that have different properties

Physical Properties Hardness (Moh’s hardness scale) Luster (shine) Color Texture (smooth, rough, bumpy, sharp) Crystal Shape (the way a mineral splits or breaks) Density (does it sink or float?)

Copy into notebook – use to answer questions

Can a Quartz scratch a Diamond? No Questions Can a Quartz scratch a Diamond? No Which is harder – Fluorite or Apatite? Apatite Which mineral can scratch Calcite? Any from Hardness 4-10

Which mineral could most easily be made into a powder? Talc Which mineral would make the best tool for digging? Worst? Best = Diamond; Worst = Talc Which mineral can scratch a Diamond? None

Chemical Properties Ability to burn (flammable?) Reactivity to acids (what happens when HCL is dropped on it?)

Minerals Ores Fossil Fuels Three common Earth resources that have importance based on their properties: Minerals Ores Fossil Fuels

Minerals natural inorganic solid materials found on Earth building blocks of rock Each has a specific chemical makeup and set of properties that determine their use and value

Ores Minerals that are mined Contain useful metals and nonmetals Examples: Kimberlite –diamond Iron Ore---Iron

Fossil Fuels Natural Fuels Example: Come from the remains of living things Coal Oil Give off energy when they are burned Natural gas