1. Minerals

2. In order to be classified as Mineral it must be:
1.Naturally occurring- must occur by natural geologic processes
2.Solid
3.Generally Inorganic – does NOT have Carbon and Hydrogen bonded together
4.Definite chemical composition (ex. Quartz is ALWAYS 2 oxygen atoms and 1 silicon atom – SiO2)
5.Crystal structure – atoms are arranged in orderly and repetitive manner.

4. Rare Earth Minerals and Green Technology

5. How do Minerals Form? 1. Crystallization from Magma
Magma is molten rock beneath the earth’s surface.
As magma cools elements combine to form minerals.
The longer the cooling time the larger the mineral crystals.

6. 2. Precipitation
Dissolved substances, when the water evaporates some react to form minerals.

7. 3. Pressure and Temperature
Minerals that form when existing minerals experience extreme pressure and/or temperatures.
Example – Graphite and Diamond
Heat
Pressure

8. 4. Hydrothermal Solutions
A very hot mixture of water and dissolved substances. (100 °C – 300 °C)
When these solutions come in contact with existing minerals, new ones can be formed.
Examples: Quartz and Pyrite
GEOTHITE

9. Short Video to describe the ways minerals can form.
Short Video to describe how to classify minerals.

10. 6 Mineral Groups
Listed in Order by their Abundance on Earth!!!

11. 1st Mineral Group The Silicates
The Most Abundant Group!

12. 1. Silicates Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron.
An exception to this rule is pure quartz (SiO2)

13. Most contain additional elements.
Silicon-oxygen bonds are really strong.
Quartz - most common

14. 2nd Mineral Group The Carbonates

15. 2. The Carbonates
Contain: carbon (C), oxygen (O) & 1 or more of the metallic elements.
Limestone
CaCO3
Marble
CaCO3

16. Calcite is the most common carbonate mineral. (CaCO3)

17. 3rd Mineral Group The Oxides

18. 3. Oxides Hematite is one form of iron oxide (Fe2O3).
Contain oxygen (O) & one or more other elements, which are usually metals.
Hematite is one form of iron oxide (Fe2O3).

19. 4th Mineral Group Sulfates and Sulfides

20. 4. Sulfates and Sulfides
Minerals that contain sulfur (S) AND at least one other element.
Sulfur is not a sulfate/sulfide
BARITE
Chemical Composition:
BaSO4

21. 5th Mineral Group Halides

22. 5. Halides
Minerals that contain the halogen ion plus one or more elements
Elements from Group 17A on the Periodic Table.
DIABOLEITE
Chemical Composition -CuPb2Cl2(OH)4

23. 6th Mineral Group Native Elements

24. 6. Native Elements
Group of minerals that exist in a relatively pure form.
SILVER (Ag)
GOLD
(Au)
SULFUR (S)