1. Characteristics of Minerals

2. Minerals are… Naturally occurring (not man made) Yes - Diamonds
No – Cubic Zirconia

3. Minerals are… Inorganic (non-living) Mineral Not a mineral
From non-living carbon
From carbon of plants
Mineral
Not a mineral

4. Minerals are…
Solid – definite volume, definite shape

5. Minerals are… Solid – definite volume, definite shape
Definite chemical (fixed) composition
A mineral always contains certain elements in definite proportions

6. Minerals have…
Crystal structure – a repeating pattern of particles

7. Write a definition for a mineral
A mineral is…

8. Write a definition for a mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

9. Solid
Naturally Occurring
Inorganic
Composition
Element or Compound

10. Identifying Minerals
Color

11. Identifying Minerals Color Streak – color of the mineral as a powder
- we use a streak plate (unglazed
porcelain) to create the powder
How do we perform a
Streak test everyday?
Using a pencil.

12. Identifying Minerals Luster – how light reflects off the surface
of a mineral
Metallic (like metal)
Nonmetallic – glassy, waxy, greasy, pearly,
dull, silky, earthy

13. Identifying Minerals Density – mass per unit volume
density= mass/volume

14. Identifying Minerals Softest (1) - Hardest (10)
Density – mass per unit volume
density= mass/volume
Mass = 72 g Volume = 9 cm3 Density = ?
8 g/cm3
Hardness – how easily a mineral can be scratched Moh’s Scale
Softest (1) - Hardest (10)

15. Mohs Hardness Scale

16. Identifying Minerals Crystal systems cubic tetragonal hexagonal
orthorhombic monoclinic triclinic

17. Identifying Minerals Breakage Cleavage - breaks along flat surfaces
Fracture – breaks in an irregular way

18. Identifying Minerals Special Properties Magnetic (magnetite)
Optical properties (some calcite)
Fizzes with HCl (calcite)
Taste (halite)
Smell (sulfur)