Minerals

What is a Mineral? Solid Solid not gas not gas not liquid not liquid

What is a Mineral? Solid Solid Naturally Occurring Naturally Occurring must be found in nature must be found in nature was not made in the laboratory was not made in the laboratory

What is a Mineral? Solid Solid Naturally Occurring Naturally Occurring Inorganic Inorganic not made from a living thing not made from a living thing does not contain chains of carbon atoms does not contain chains of carbon atoms

What is a Mineral? Solid Solid Naturally Occurring Naturally Occurring Inorganic Inorganic Definite Crystal Structure Definite Crystal Structure Atoms arrange themselves in an orderly fashion to create regular geometric patterns Atoms arrange themselves in an orderly fashion to create regular geometric patterns

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What is a Mineral? Solid Solid Naturally Occurring Naturally Occurring Inorganic Inorganic Definite Crystal Structure Definite Crystal Structure Definite Chemical Formula Definite Chemical Formula Gold (Au) Gold (Au) Calcite (CaCO 3 ) Calcite (CaCO 3 ) Quartz (SiO 2 ) Quartz (SiO 2 ) Pyrite (FeS 2 ) Pyrite (FeS 2 )

Formation of Minerals Evaporation Minerals can form when solutions evaporate and the materials dissolved in the water crystallize.

Formation of Minerals Volcanic Activity As magma and lava cooled, minerals crystallized. Some atoms were stable and did not combine.

Formation of Minerals Heat, pressure and chemical change deep inside the Earth create minerals. They form from existing minerals that are transformed by the heat and pressure. Heat and Pressure

Mineral Facts More than 4000 minerals have been identified. More than 4000 minerals have been identified. New minerals are still being discovered. New minerals are still being discovered. NJ is one of two places in the world that have more different minerals than any other place on Earth! NJ is one of two places in the world that have more different minerals than any other place on Earth!

Composition of the Earth’s Crust 98.5% of Earth’s Crust is made of: -Oxygen (O) -Silicon (Si) -Aluminum (Al) -Iron (Fe) -Calcium (Ca) -Sodium (Na) -Potassium (K) -Magnesium (Mg) mostly in combination with one another.

Most minerals are made of chemically combined (bonded) elements. These minerals are grouped according to the elements in them. Oxides – have oxygen in them Oxides – have oxygen in them Halides – have halogens in them Halides – have halogens in them Sulfides – have sulfur in them Sulfides – have sulfur in them Carbonates – have CO 3 in them Carbonates – have CO 3 in them Sulfates – have SO 4 in them Sulfates – have SO 4 in them Silicates – have SiO 4 in them Silicates – have SiO 4 in them

Most Common Minerals Silicates – 92% of all minerals contain oxygen and silicon Silicates – 92% of all minerals contain oxygen and silicon Silicon Dioxide – also known as quartz (large pieces) or sand (small pieces) makes up 75% of the Earth’s crust! Silicon Dioxide – also known as quartz (large pieces) or sand (small pieces) makes up 75% of the Earth’s crust! 9 minerals make up 99% of Earth: feldspar, pyroxene, mica, olivine, dolomite, quartz, amphibole, clay, calcite 9 minerals make up 99% of Earth: feldspar, pyroxene, mica, olivine, dolomite, quartz, amphibole, clay, calcite

Feldspar

Pyroxene

Mica

Olivine

Dolomite

Quartz

Amphibole

Clay

Calcite

Most elements combined to make minerals but some did not. Called the Native Minerals (one element alone) Called the Native Minerals (one element alone) Also called Native Elements Also called Native Elements Copper (Cu)Gold (Au)Sulfur (S)

Ore – rock that contains minerals that can be mined Iron OreGold Ore

Alloy – mixture of two or more minerals Bronze = copper + tin Brass = copper + zinc Pewter = tin + copper + lead + antimony Stainless Steel = iron + chromium + nickel Solder = tin + lead

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: 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 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.)