1. What Is a Mineral? - Properties of Minerals
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

2. Calculating Density - Properties of Minerals
To calculate the density of a mineral, divide the mass of the mineral sample by its volume.
Density = Mass/Volume
For example, if a sample of olivine has a mass of 237 g and a volume of 72 cm3, then the density is
237 g/72 cm3 = 3.3 g/cm3
Practice Problem
A sample of calcite has a mass of 324 g and a volume of 120 cm3. What is its density?
324 g ÷ 120 cm3 = 2.7 g/cm3

3. Mineral Density - Properties of Minerals
Use the line graph of the mass and volume of pyrite samples to answer the questions.

4. Mineral Density - Properties of Minerals Calculating:
What is the density of Sample B?
5 g/cm3

5. Mineral Density - Properties of Minerals Reading Graphs:
What is the mass of Sample C? What is the volume of Sample C?
100 g; 20 cm3

6. Identifying Minerals - Properties of Minerals
The crystals of each mineral grow atom by atom to form that mineral’s particular crystal structure. Geologists classify these structures into six groups based on the number and angle of the crystal faces.

7. Where Minerals Form - How Minerals Form
Minerals can form on the surface through evaporation of solutions containing dissolved minerals. Minerals can form beneath the surface when dissolved elements and compounds leave a hot water solution or when magma cools and hardens.

8. Producing Metals From Minerals
- Using Mineral Resources
Producing Metals From Minerals
In the process of smelting, an ore is mixed with other substances and then melted to separate the useful metal from the other elements the ore contains.