Properties of Minerals

Essential Questions: What properties identify a mineral? How are different minerals identified? What are some common uses for minerals?

Quick Action – INB Template Properties of Minerals INB Template Cut out the Template. Glue it into your notebook. Let’s find out some similarities and differences between rocks and minerals. © KeslerScience.com

Similarities of Rocks and Minerals Properties of Minerals Similarities of Rocks and Minerals Inorganic compounds (non-living) Both can be classified by their chemical composition. Solids Naturally formed Found around the world in many of the same places on Earth © KeslerScience.com

Rocks Properties of Minerals Most commonly classified by how they form. Sedimentary Metamorphic Igneous Composed of more than one mineral. No definite chemical composition. No definite crystal structure. © KeslerScience.com

Minerals Properties of Minerals In addition to being inorganic, solid, and naturally formed like rocks, minerals also have: A definite chemical composition. (amounts of elements present) A definite crystal structure. (unique arrangement of atoms/molecules) © KeslerScience.com

Quick Action – INB Template Properties of Minerals INB Template Cut out the Template Glue the top tab into your notebook. © KeslerScience.com

Quick Action – INB Template Properties of Minerals INB Template 3. Cut out the Template 4. Glue the top tab to the back of “hardness” prism. 5. Fold along the dotted lines to make a foldable. © KeslerScience.com

Mineral Identification – Important Vocabulary Properties of Minerals Mineral Identification – Important Vocabulary Color (green, red, yellow, blue, etc.) Streak (Color of the streak across a streak plate) Luster (Metallic or Non-Metallic) Hardness (Mohs Scale) Density Breakage Pattern (Cleavage and Fracture) © KeslerScience.com

Properties of Minerals Color Many minerals have distinctive colors, but they come in a variety of hues. Color should never be used as the only test for identifying a mineral. Gold Pyrite (fool’s gold) © KeslerScience.com

Streak Properties of Minerals The color a mineral displays in a finely powered form Might be completely different from the color of the mineral itself To determine the streak, rub the mineral across a piece of unglazed porcelain know as a streak plate. . © KeslerScience.com

Luster Properties of Minerals Metallic Luster The way a mineral’s surface reflects light. Two types of luster Metallic – shiny like a metal Nonmetallic – several kinds . Nonmetallic 1 2 3 4 5 6 © KeslerScience.com

Hardness Properties of Minerals One of the most reliable ways to identify minerals Compares the resistance of a mineral to being scratched by 10 reference minerals Called the Mohs Hardness Scale Named after Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, who developed the scale in 1812 . © KeslerScience.com

Density Properties of Minerals Defined as the amount of matter per unit volume Density = mass divided by volume In this way minerals can be compared and identified. . If you want to get into Specific Gravity, here are some details. Specific Gravity, also known as SG, is a measurement that determines the density of minerals. Two minerals may be the same size, but their weight may be very different. The specific gravity of a mineral determines how heavy it is by its relative weight to water. The specific gravity value is expressed upon how much greater the weight of the mineral is to an equal amount of water. Water has a specific gravity of 1.0. If a mineral has a specific gravity of 2.7, it is 2.7 times heavier than water. Minerals with a specific gravity under 2 are considered light, between 2 and 4.5 average, and greater than 4.5 heavy.  © KeslerScience.com

Cleavage Properties of Minerals Refers to the way some minerals break along certain lines of weakness in their structure . © KeslerScience.com

Fracture Properties of Minerals A description of the way a mineral tends to break Some different types of fracturing 1. Conchoidal – smooth curve 2. Hackly – sharp jagged edges 3. Uneven – rough and irregular 4. Fibrous – shows fibers . 1 2 3 4 © KeslerScience.com

Common Mineral Uses Properties of Minerals MINERAL USE Bauxite Aluminum, foil, plane parts Calcite Medicine, toothpaste, building materials Copper Electrical wire, sculptures Diamond Cutting tool, gemstone Graphite Pencils, lubricant in machinery Gypsum Wall board Halite Salt Quartz Electronics, radios, computers Silver Jewelry, photography, electrical equipment Sulfur Fungicides, kills bacteria, fertilizer Talc Baby powder © KeslerScience.com

Gemstones Properties of Minerals Some minerals are cut to become precious gemstones. This is another use for minerals. . © KeslerScience.com

Check for Understanding Can you… Describe the properties that identify a mineral? Determine how different minerals are identified? List some common uses for minerals? Clear up any confusion and answer questions. © KeslerScience.com