Minerals

Minerals

What is a Mineral? Never Sneeze in Denver, Colorado! Naturally Occurring (found naturally in nature) Solid Inorganic (Do not come from living things)

What is a Mineral? Never Sneeze In Denver, Colorado! Definite Chemical Composition: Minerals are expressed by a specific chemical formula which tells you the types and amounts of elements are found in a given type of mineral. -Gold (Au) -Calcite (CaCO3) -Quartz (SiO2) -Pyrite (FeS2)

What is a Mineral? Never Sneeze in Denver, Colorado! Crystal Structure: Ordered arrangement of atoms in patterns that give each type of mineral a characteristic crystal shape .

Naturally Occurring Formed by natural processes not in the laboratory

Solid Not gas or liquid -H2O as ice in a glacier is a mineral, but water is not

Inorganic Do not come from living things Formed by inorganic processes Does not contain chains of carbon atoms

Definite Chemical Composition Minerals are expressed by a specific chemical formula which tells you the types and amounts of elements found in a given type of mineral. -Gold (Au) -Calcite (CaCO3) -Quartz (SiO2) -Pyrite (FeS2)

Crystal Structure Ordered arrangement of atoms in patterns Minerals have a characteristic crystal shape resulting from the atomic packing of the atoms when the mineral is forming Apatite Feldspar Diamond Quartz 8

Economic Importance of Minerals Minerals are in many things we see and use everyday such as; glass, cement, plaster, iron, gold. An ore is a rock that contains a metal or economically useful mineral.

Uses of Minerals Minerals are also the source of metals, gems, food and medicines. A gemstone is a hard, colorful mineral that has a brilliant or glassy luster.

Every American Requires 40,000 Pounds of New Minerals per Year at this level of consumption the average newborn infant will need a lifetime supply of: 795 lbs of lead (car batteries, electric components) 757 lbs of zinc (to make brass, rubber, paints) 1500lbs of copper (electrical motors, wirings 3593 lbs aluminum (soda cans, aircraft) 32,700 lbs of iron (kitchen utensils, automobiles, buildings) 28,213 lbs of salt (cooking, detergents) 1,238,101 lbs of stone, sand, gravel, cement (roads, homes, etc.)

Where Do Minerals Come From? Magma Evaporation

How do minerals form? Crystallization from magma Precipitation (rain, sleet, snow) Pressure and temperature Hydrothermal solutions (hydro=water, thermal = heat)

How Are Minerals Identified? Minerals are identified by a combination of properties that are unique to each type of mineral. Color Luster Hardness Streak Density Crystal Shape Cleavage and Fracture (how it breaks apart) Other Unique or Special Properties

~5 Steel of a pocket knife Hardness The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched Resistance to scratching by different items; “scratchability” Mohs Hardness Scale >2 fingernail 3 penny ~5 Steel of a pocket knife 5.5 Window Glass 6.6 Steel of a file 7 quartz crystal

Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale 1) Talc 2) Gypsum 3) Calcite 4) Flourite 5) Apatite 6) Feldspar 7) Quartz 8) Topaz 9) Corundum 10) Diamond Softest 1 9 5 2 6 10 3 7 Hardest 4 8

Streak The color of the powder left when a mineral is scratched on a surface Determined by rubbing the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain (streak plate)

Luster The way a mineral reflects light General appearance of a mineral surface in reflected light Glassy-Obsidian