Mineral Formation Part of Chapter 20-1

Mineral Formation Mineral crystals grow as atoms are added to its surfaces, edges, or corners

Mineral Formation Growth depends on: 1) What atoms are available in the surrounding area 2) How fast atoms can migrate to the crystal 3) Temperature and Pressure conditions of the surrounding area Slower cooling allows for bigger crystals Different minerals crystallize from the same solution at different temperatures. Pressure conditions have to be right for mineral formation Growth depends on: 1) What atoms are available in the surrounding area 2) How fast atoms can migrate to the crystal 3) Temperature and Pressure conditions of the surrounding area Slower cooling allows for bigger crystals Different minerals crystallize from the same solution at different temperatures. Pressure conditions have to be right for mineral formation

Mineral Formation Minerals can form in various places 1)Precipitation in hot water -a solid forming in the water 2)From magma cooling 3)From evaporation of water Minerals can form in various places 1)Precipitation in hot water -a solid forming in the water 2)From magma cooling 3)From evaporation of water

Minerals from Hot Water Some minerals are made from hot-water solutions that are rich in dissolved mineral matter Example: Sugar will dissolve faster in hot water, but when the water cools, the sugar crystals will form again Some minerals are made from hot-water solutions that are rich in dissolved mineral matter Example: Sugar will dissolve faster in hot water, but when the water cools, the sugar crystals will form again

Minerals from Hot Water This is one of the principles of crystallization: as the temperature of a liquid drops, the amount of solid ingredients it can hold in suspension drops as well.

Minerals from Hot Water As the hot water cools, the atoms slow down and the atoms within can then form bonds Minerals will often form around the edges of hot springs where the water is cooler As the hot water cools, the atoms slow down and the atoms within can then form bonds Minerals will often form around the edges of hot springs where the water is cooler

Minerals from Hot Water Minerals also form in cracks of rocks where the water is cooler from the surrounding rock -Cracks in rock become lined with mineral matter Ex: veins can be found within rocks of concentrated minerals like gold, silver, or copper Minerals also form in cracks of rocks where the water is cooler from the surrounding rock -Cracks in rock become lined with mineral matter Ex: veins can be found within rocks of concentrated minerals like gold, silver, or copper

Minerals from Magma Magma = molten rock found within the Earth As magma cools the atoms begin to arrange into an orderly structure Magma = molten rock found within the Earth As magma cools the atoms begin to arrange into an orderly structure

Minerals from Magma When the temperature of magma drops below the “ solidification temperature ” of a specific mineral, the crystals will begin to grow

Minerals from Evaporation Minerals can form from water on the Earth ’ s surface When water evaporated from solutions rich in minerals, the minerals are left behind when the water is gone Minerals can form from water on the Earth ’ s surface When water evaporated from solutions rich in minerals, the minerals are left behind when the water is gone