Minerals!

What is a mineral? In order for a substance to be classified as a mineral it must maintain FIVE characteristics. 1. Naturally occurring 2. Inorganic 3. Solid 4. Definite chemical composition 5. Definite crystal pattern (shape)

Describe each characteristic! Naturally Occurring Not man made, must occur in nature Inorganic Not living and not made of any living materials Solid A substance with a definite shape and volume Definite Chemical Composition A specific formula (either a single element or a compound) Definite Crystal Pattern A specific shape from which the mineral crystallizes or grows atomically

What does the abundance of each mineral depend on? Where they form. Location within the earth! The rate at which they form. Speed! The abundance of the elements from which they form.

There are 2500 known minerals, but only 20 are common, they are referred to as ROCK FORMING MINERALS QUARTZCALCITEAUGITEHEMATITEMICA FELDSPARAMPHIBOLEDOLOMITEGYPSUMOLIVINE

All minerals are broken into mineral groups based on their CHEMICAL COMPOSITION! 1. Silicates **** 2. Sulfides 3. Sulfates 4. Carbonates 5. Oxides 6. Native Elements 7. Halides *ate = Oxygen *ide = Metal Quartz SiO 2 Silicon 2 Oxygen

proton s neutrons electrons atoms elements minerals silicatessulfidessulfates oxideshalides carbonates Native Elements Silicon + Oxygen Sulfur + Metal Sulfur + Oxygen + Metal Chlorine and /or Bromine and/or Fluorine and/or Iodine + metal Carbon + Oxygen Any Single Eleme nt

A Mineral is ? 1. Naturally occurring 2. Inorganic 3. Solid 4. Definite chemical composition 5. Definite crystal pattern (shape)

There are 2500 known minerals, but only 20 are common, they are referred to as ROCK FORMING MINERALS Quartz Feldspar

Regardless of the number of minerals in the world each has its own unique set of characteristics. These characteristics are referred to as: Physical properties

Physical Properties Color Visual property easiest to identify, but least reliable! dolomite talc malachite copper

Luster The way a mineral reflects the light. Metallic Non-metallic Looks or reflects the light like metal Does not reflect the light as metal

Breakage Result of arrangement of atoms, bonding Cleavage: to break along a smooth plain or in a particular pattern.

Breakage Fracture:To break with uneven, rough, or jagged edged. No pattern

Streak The powdered residue left behind as a mineral is rubbed across a porcelain tile.

Crystallization A mineral grows by crystallizing: the arrangement of atoms in a repeating pattern. Minerals crystallize as magma cools- Slow cooling, large crystals Fast cooling, small crystals Growth Atomic structureOutward appearance

Crystal (Shapes) Structures orthorhombic monoclinic tetragonal hexagonal triclinic cubic

Hardness The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched. Relative hardness Absolute hardness Comparison of mineral hardness. -Talc is the softest -Diamond is the hardest. Physical test using a series of items and recording the numerical measurement. Example: Apatite is harder than Fluorite, softer than Feldspar. Example: Feldspar is not scratched by the penny, nail, or file. Its hardness is >6. estimate exact

Example LusterColorHardnessUnique Feature StreakChemical Composition

Crystal (Shapes) Structures Structure: hexagonal Formula: SiO 2