Minerals

EQ: What are minerals? Standard: S6E5b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.

There are five characteristics of a mineral

Five characteristics of a mineral: Solid—A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape.

Five characteristics of a mineral: Solid—A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape. Inorganic—A mineral cannot form from materials that were once part of a living thing. Inorganic means “not living”.

Five characteristics of a mineral: Solid—A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape. Inorganic—A mineral cannot form from materials that were once part of a living thing. Inorganic means “not living”. Naturally Occurring—A mineral is formed by processes in the natural world.

Five characteristics of a mineral: Solid—A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape. Inorganic—A mineral cannot form from materials that were once part of a living thing. Inorganic means “not living”. Naturally Occurring—A mineral is formed by processes in the natural world. Crystal Structure—The particles of a mineral line up in repeating patterns, called crystals, with faces that meet up at sharp edges and corners.

Five characteristics of a mineral: Solid—A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape. Inorganic—A mineral cannot form from materials that were once part of a living thing. Inorganic means “not living”. Naturally Occurring—A mineral is formed by processes in the natural world. Crystal Structure—The particles of a mineral line up in repeating patterns, called crystals, with faces that meet up at sharp edges and corners. Definite Chemical Composition—A mineral always contains certain elements in definite proportions.

Five characteristics of a mineral: Solid—A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape. Inorganic—A mineral cannot form from materials that were once part of a living thing. Inorganic means “not living”. Naturally Occurring—A mineral is formed by processes in the natural world. Crystal Structure—The particles of a mineral line up in repeating patterns, called crystals, with faces that meet up at sharp edges and corners. Definite Chemical Composition—A mineral always contains certain elements in definite proportions.

EQ: How can I identify a mineral? Standard: S6E5b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.

Properties of a mineral: Color

Properties of a mineral: Color Streak—the color of a mineral’s powder. A streak test can help to identify a mineral. Streak and color are often different.

Properties of a mineral: Color Streak—the color of a mineral’s powder. A streak test can help to identify a mineral. Streak and color are often different. Luster--how light is reflected from a mineral’s surface. Examples include metallic, glassy, silky, dull, waxy, earthy.

Properties of a mineral: Color Streak—the color of a mineral’s powder. A streak test can help to identify a mineral. Streak and color are often different. Luster--how light is reflected from a mineral’s surface. Examples include metallic, glassy, silky, dull, waxy, earthy. Density—how compact a substance; mass per unit volume.

Properties of a mineral: Color Streak—the color of a mineral’s powder. Luster--how light is reflected from a mineral’s surface. Density—how compact a substance; mass per unit volume. Hardness—the ability of a mineral to scratch another mineral. Mohs hardness scale ranks ten minerals from softest to hardest. Talc can be scratched by a fingernail; diamond can scratch all other substances.

Properties of a mineral: Hardness—the ability of a mineral to scratch another mineral. Mohs hardness scale ranks ten minerals from softest to hardest. Talc can be scratched by a fingernail; diamond can scratch all other substances. Crystal Systems—six basic groups based on crystal faces; often only visible under a microscope. Groups include cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic.

Properties of a mineral: Hardness—the ability of a mineral to scratch another mineral. Mohs hardness scale ranks ten minerals. Crystal Systems—six basic groups based on crystal faces; often only visible under a microscope. Groups include cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. Cleavage—when a mineral splits easily along flat surfaces. Examples—prismatic, cubic, octahedral

Properties of a mineral: Crystal Systems—six basic groups based on crystal faces; often only visible under a microscope. Groups include cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. Cleavage—when a mineral splits easily along flat surfaces. Examples—prismatic, cubic, octahedral Fracture—how a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way. Examples—splintery, uneven, hackly

Properties of a mineral: Crystal Systems—six basic groups based on crystal faces Cleavage—when a mineral splits easily along flat surfaces. Examples—prismatic, cubic, octahedral Fracture—how a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way. Examples—splintery, uneven, hackly Tenacity—the resistance of mineral particles to being separated. Examples—brittle, malleable, elastic

Properties of a mineral: Crystal Systems—six basic groups based on crystal faces Cleavage—when a mineral splits easily along flat surfaces Fracture—how a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way Tenacity—the resistance of mineral particles to being separated. Examples—brittle, malleable, elastic Special Properties—unique properties not shared by all minerals, such as magnetism, fluorescence, radioactivity, reactivity