Thursday Minerals: Naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid with a set range of chemical components.

Chemistry Before we go further, we need to learn some basic chemistry Structure of the atom, what is an atom –Protons and the nucleus –Energy of the nucleus versus energy of electrons Ions, variations in the number of electrons Ions allow bonding Isotopes, variations in the number of neutrons –Stable versus unstable isotopes

Atoms form Molecules The molecule pentacene is made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms which can be seen in the extreme high resolution photo photograph taken this year

Back to minerals Bonding of atoms allows the creation of: Molecules Silica molecule of Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O) Silicates the building blocks of most minerals

Green, ask me about this later

3-D of framework Silicates Quartz

Sheet silicates Muscovite & biotite

Chain silicate an amphibole type asbestos

A microscopic view of asbestos

Asbestos Sheet silicate or “White” vs. Double chain silicate or “Blue”