1. What is a Mineral?
In your notes write down what you think a mineral is while you wait for class to start.

2. Today’s Agenda: Define: Mineral
Read pages 62 and 63
As you are reading you should:
Define: Mineral
Create an outline of 5 mineral characteristics
In your own words define each characteristic
Create a mnemonic device to help remember the characteristics (ex. King Henry Died By Drinking….)
Share/Compare your notes
Evaluate Your Notes by comparing to Mr. G
Classify items as minerals or non-minerals.

3. What is a mineral? Definition:
A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure and unique chemical composition.

4. Characteristics Explained:
Solid
Cannot be a liquid or a gas
Naturally Occurring
Found in nature, not man-made, Earth-made
Inorganic
Non-living, Is not alive and never was
Fixed chemical composition
Has a chemical formula, most are formed from compounds of two or more elements, ex NaCl. Some minerals consist of one element ex. Au (Gold)
Crystal structure
A definite structure in which atoms are arranged in a pattern repeated over and over again.

5. Mineral vs. Non Mineral Activity Title the back side of your Mineral Notes Mineral/Non Mineral Activity and Create this Data Table on your note sheet
Object
Mineral/Non Min.
If not. Why? 1. 2. 3. 4.
All the way to 12.
12.

6. Directions; The next few slides show an assortment of different items
Directions; The next few slides show an assortment of different items. Your task is to categorize the items as either: Minerals or Non-Minerals. If you determine the object to be a non-mineral, you need to explain which characteristic it does not meet
Tips……Questions to ask yourself when determining if an item is a mineral or not:
Is it non-living material?
Is it a solid?
Is it formed in nature?
Does it have a crystalline (Crystal-like) structure?
Do the same elements always form this element?

7. 1. Wood

8. 2. Gold

9. 3. Fossil

10. 4. Topaz

11. 5. Bones

12. 6. Granite

13. 7. Quartz

14. 8. Pearls

15. 9. Talc

16. 10. Icebergs

17. 11. Diamond

18. 12. Coal

19. And the answers are… Check & Correct your answers with a RED pen then submit your work to Mr. G. Remember only make marks if wrong!
Non-Minerals
Wood - once living
Fossils – once living
Bone - organic/living material
Granite – No fixed composition/many minerals together=rock
Pearls – made by oysters (living)
Iceberg – no crystalline structure
Coal - once living, no crystal structure.
Minerals
Gold
Topaz
Quartz
Talc
Diamonds