1. The building blocks of rocks
Minerals
The building blocks of rocks

3. Atoms, Elements, & Minerals
Smallest component of an element f

4. Atoms, Elements, & Minerals
substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary means

5. Atoms, Elements, & Minerals
Compound
made up of more than one element
Cannot be separated by physical means
Minerals are compounds
NaCl

6. Atoms, Elements, & Minerals
Mixture
Can be separated by physical means
ALL rocks are MIXTURES of minerals

7. Atoms, Elements, & Minerals
Rocks
Compounds
Mixtures

8. Minerals Characteristics of Minerals: Naturally occurring Solid
Inorganic
Orderly internal arrangement of atoms
Definite chemical composition.

9. Minerals How minerals form: 1. Solidification from magma
2. evaporation and precipitation from water

10. Both of these are made entirely of the element Carbon
Mineral Properties
Based on the internal arrangement of atoms.
Both of these are made entirely of the element Carbon

11. Mineral Properties 1. Color - Most easily observed property
Least useful property
The same mineral may have many colors, or different minerals may have the same color

12. Mineral Properties
1. Color -
Most easily observed property
Least useful property
The same mineral may have many colors
Color differences are caused by impurities trapped in the mineral as it formed.

13. Page 16 – Earth Science Reference Tables
Mineral Properties
Page 16 – Earth Science Reference Tables

14. Mineral Properties 2. Luster – The way a minerals shines
A. Metallic Luster– Looks like a metal

15. Mineral Properties 2. Luster – The way a minerals shines
B. Nonmetallic Luster– Does not look like a metal

16. Mineral Properties 3. Hardness –
A minerals resistance to being scratched
Glass Plate
Hardness = 5.5
6. Feldspar
Fingernail = 2.5

17. Mineral Properties 4. Cleavage/Fracture
Cleavage occurs when minerals break along planes of weak bonds.
Results in smooth, flat surfaces
When a mineral with cleavage is broken, the pieces look similar

18. Mineral Properties 4. Cleavage/Fracture
Fracture – breakage not on cleavage planes
Like broken glass – no two pieces are the same

19. Mineral Properties 5. Streak – The color of a mineral in powdered form
Tested by rubbing mineral on a streak plate.