1. Minerals

2. What is the difference in picture A and B? (Other than the obvious)

3. What is a mineral?
Formed by natural processes such as cooling magma and evaporating saltwater
Inorganic – not made by life processes
Element or a compound with definite chemical composition (structure)
Solid and crystalline (atoms in patterns that repeat over and over again)

4. S.N.I.F.C. Solid-not liquid, gas, or plasma Naturally Occurring-Not manmade Inorganic–Not alive, never was Fixed Composition - Same recipe everywhere, every time C rystalline Structure- shape of the mineral crystals

5. How are minerals classified?
Minerals are grouped based on crystal systems. This means that they are classified according to their type of repeated crystal patterns.

6. How are minerals identified? (How can you tell them apart?)
Color
Hardness
Luster
Density
Streak
Breakage (Cleavage and Fracture)
Unique properties

7. Color
The same mineral can come in different colors. Color is not always a reliable way to identify a mineral due to factors such as: weathering and the inclusion of impurities-things that would cause the mineral to change color (air or water)

8. Hardness
Hardness is determined by how easily a mineral can be scratched.
Mohs Scale of Hardness is used to measure the hardness of a mineral

9. Hardness of Common Objects
Mohs Scale
Hardness
Hardness of Common Objects
Talc (softest) 1
Fingernail
Gypsum 2
Piece of copper
Calcite 3
Iron nail
Fluorite 4
Glass
Apatite 5
Steel file
Feldspar 6
Streak plate
Quartz 7
Flint sandpaper
Topaz 8
Spinel (rock shops)
Corundum 9
Emery sandpaper
Diamond (hardest) 10
Carborundum sandpaper

10. Luster The way a mineral reflects light.
Metallic, Nonmetallic, or submetallic

11. Density

12. Streak The color of a mineral when it is in powdered form.
Tested by streaking the mineral across streak plate (object must be harder than the mineral)
Actual color of the mineral

13. Breakage
Cleavage-tendency of some mineral to breaks along smooth, flat surfaces
Fracture-tendency of some minerals to break with an uneven, rough, or jagged surface

14. Unique Properties
Many minerals have unique characteristics that can also be used to identify the mineral.
Example-natural magnet, double refraction, odor, taste, reaction to acids, fluorescence, etc.

15. Uses of Minerals
Minerals are a component of everyday life because they are a part of everyday objects
Jewerly (gems-rare minerals)
Diamonds are used in industrial abrasives and cutting tools
Some minerals are used to produce specific types of laser light
Quartz is used in electronics
Minerals that contain useful substances can be mined