Components of Minerals

Introduction Minerals are God-given resources for us to use. Minerals in the Bible: mentioned in the creation account (Genesis), jewelry and decorations on clothing (priests in the Old Testament), building houses, alters, future New Jerusalem (Revelation) God expects us to study and harness these materials to declare His glory. When we do so, we are fulfilling the Creation Mandate (to exercise authority over the earth).

Minerals What is a mineral? A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid Excludes manmade and organic items Must be solid Must have definite arrangement of atoms Examples: gold, natural gems, asbestos, quartz, oxides, sulfides, and carbonates (mineral sources of metals)

Minerals Origin: God created them. Not all minerals that exist today existed in their current form at Creation. Some are mentioned early in Genesis, and at least 36 are mentioned after the Flood. The major disruption of earth’s surface likely caused the formation of new minerals and ores (rock containing one or more minerals that are the source of elements or compounds important to industry or agriculture). Flood = Judgment, New minerals = Grace *Fossils and “Rainbow” Rocks*

Minerals Matter and Elements: Have mass and take up space (volume) Made of atoms Atoms – building blocks of matter; made of protons (+), neutrons (0), and electrons (-) Number of protons in the nucleus determines the element Native Mineral – contains only one kind of atom and is a pure element (like gold, silver, diamond) Approximately 4,000 known minerals!

Minerals Compounds: A substance that is made of atoms of several different elements in a fixed ratio Example: Quartz – a compound of silicon and oxygen (SiO2) has twice as much oxygen as silicon If the ratio was different, it would no longer be quartz… it would be something else.

Minerals Mixtures: Matter that contains several elements or compounds in proportions that vary. Not chemically combined Nonchemical processes can separate them: sifting, melting, evaporation Example: Salt water may contain various amounts of salt and still be saltwater Minerals are NEVER mixtures, ALWAYS relatively pure elements or compounds Most rocks are a single mineral or a mixture of two or more minerals.