1. Minerals of the Earth’s Crust

2. Minerals
naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline structure.
You can tell if an object is a mineral by asking 4 questions:

3. Minerals cannot be gases or liquids.
1. Is it a solid?
Minerals cannot be gases or liquids.

4. 2. Is it a non-living material?
A mineral is inorganic, meaning it isn’t made of living things.

5. 3. Does it have a crystalline structure?
Minerals are crystals, which have a repeating inner structure that is often reflected in the shape of the crystal.

6. Crystalline materials made by people aren’t classified as minerals.
4. Is it formed in nature?
Crystalline materials made by people aren’t classified as minerals.

7. naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline structure.
Minerals
naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline structure.

8. To understand what a crystalline structure is, we need to understand elements.

9. Each element is made of only 1 kind of atom.
A substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
Each element is made of only 1 kind of atom.

10. Some minerals are made are made of compounds of several different elements
A substance made up of atoms of two or more elements joined by chemical bonds

11. naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline structure.
Minerals
naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline structure.

12. Crystal:
A solid whose atoms are arranged in a definite pattern. A crystal’s shape is determined by the arrangement of the atoms within the crystal
All minerals can be grouped into crystal classes according to the kinds of crystals

13. Minerals are divided into 2 groups based on their chemical composition

14. Silicate minerals:
Minerals that contain a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals
Silicon and Oxygen usually combine with metals like aluminum, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

16. Some minerals are made are made of compounds of several different elements
A substance made up of atoms of two or more elements joined by chemical bonds