Minerals Objectives: Identify characteristics of a mineral Describe the composition of Minerals Explain how minerals have different structures

Minerals Mineral: A naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a distinct chemical composition and structure. Halite: a.k.a Salt NaCl

Mineral Characteristics Occurs naturally Solid Definite chemical composition Crystal structure Inorganic (was never alive)

Chemical Composition Some minerals contain only one type of element. Other minerals may have 2 more different elements.

Chemical Composition

Crystals Crystal: regular geometric solid, usually has smooth sides called faces.

Crystal Structure The orderly arrangement of atoms determines the crystal structure. Quartz= SiO2

Crystals Amazonite Malachite Rhodochrosite

Crystals Tourmaline Mottramite Dioptase

Same Mineral Different Structure Diamonds and Graphite Both made of Carbon Atomic structure determines properties

Goal: be able to explain how various minerals are made. Mineral origins Goal: be able to explain how various minerals are made.

Mineral Formation Ways to form minerals Magma Evaporation Crystallization

Minerals from Magma In magma molecules are able to flow freely. As magma cools, molecules move closer together, bond, and make a new compound. If magma cools fast, your minerals have small grains, if it cools slow you have big grains.

Evaporites When a solution evaporates, the water leaves, and what stays are the minerals Salt Water: Water evaporates, the salt remains Lake Beds

Crystalization Elements in an aqueous solution solidify into crystals. Precipitate Minerals left behind as water moves, drips, etc…