1. Rocks & Minerals

2. Minerals

3. What is a Mineral? Naturally Occurring Naturally Occurring Solid Solid Inorganic Inorganic Definite Chemical Composition Definite Chemical Composition Crystal Structure Crystal Structure Never Sneeze in Denver, Colorado!

4. Naturally Occurring Formed by natural processes not in the laboratory Formed by natural processes not in the laboratory

5. Inorganic Do not come from living things Do not come from living things Formed by inorganic processes Formed by inorganic processes Does not contain chains of carbon atoms Does not contain chains of carbon atoms

6. Solid Not gas or liquid Not gas or liquid -H 2 O as ice in a glacier is a mineral, but water is not water is not

7. Crystal Structure Crystal Structure Ordered arrangement of atoms in patterns Ordered arrangement of atoms in patterns Minerals have a characteristic crystal shape resulting from the atomic packing of the atoms when the mineral is forming Minerals have a characteristic crystal shape resulting from the atomic packing of the atoms when the mineral is forming 8 ApatiteFeldsparDiamondQuartz

8. Definite Chemical Composition Minerals are expressed by a specific chemical formula which tells you the types and amounts of elements found in a given type of mineral. Minerals are expressed by a specific chemical formula which tells you the types and amounts of elements found in a given type of mineral. -Gold (Au) -Gold (Au) -Calcite (CaCO 3 ) -Quartz (SiO 2 ) -Pyrite (FeS 2 )

9. Characteristics of Minerals

10. Where Do Minerals Come From? Magma Evaporation

11. How do minerals form? Crystallization from magma Crystallization from magma Precipitation (rain, sleet, snow) Precipitation (rain, sleet, snow) Pressure and temperature Pressure and temperature Hydrothermal solutions (hydro=water, Hydrothermal solutions (hydro=water, thermal = heat) thermal = heat)

12. How Are Minerals Identified? Color Color Luster Luster Hardness Hardness Streak Streak Density Density Crystal Shape Crystal Shape Cleavage and Fracture Cleavage and Fracture Special Properties Special Properties Minerals are identified by a combination of properties that are unique to each type of mineral.

13. Hardness The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched Resistance to scratching by different items; “scratchability” Resistance to scratching by different items; “scratchability” Mohs Hardness Scale Mohs Hardness Scale >2 fingernail 3 penny ~5 Steel of a pocket knife 5.5 Window Glass 6.6 Steel of a file 7 quartz crystal Tool used to rank minerals from 1- 10 1 is the softest 10 is the hardest

14. Mohs Mineral Hardness Scale 1) Talc 2) Gypsum 3) Calcite 4) Flourite 5) Apatite 6) Feldspar 7) Quartz 8) Topaz 9) Corundum 10) Diamond Softest Hardest 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

15. Tool used to measure

16. Streak The color of the powder left when a mineral is scratched on a rough surface The color of the powder left when a mineral is scratched on a rough surface Determined by rubbing the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain (streak plate) Determined by rubbing the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain (streak plate)

17. Luster The way a mineral reflects light The way a mineral reflects light General appearance of a mineral surface in reflected light General appearance of a mineral surface in reflected light Glassy-Obsidian

18. Economic Importance of Minerals Minerals are in many things we see and use everyday such as; bricks, glass, cement, plaster, iron, gold Minerals are in many things we see and use everyday such as; bricks, glass, cement, plaster, iron, gold An ore is a rock that contains a metal or economically useful mineral.

19. Uses of Minerals Minerals are also the source of metals, gems, food and medicines. Minerals are also the source of metals, gems, food and medicines. A gemstone is a hard, colorful mineral that has a brilliant or glassy luster.

20. Every American Requires 40,000 Pounds of New Minerals per Year at this level of consumption the average newborn infant will need a lifetime supply of: 795 lbs of lead (car batteries, electric components) 795 lbs of lead (car batteries, electric components) 757 lbs of zinc (to make brass, rubber, paints) 757 lbs of zinc (to make brass, rubber, paints) 1500lbs of copper (electrical motors, wirings 1500lbs of copper (electrical motors, wirings 3593 lbs aluminum (soda cans, aircraft) 3593 lbs aluminum (soda cans, aircraft) 32,700 lbs of iron (kitchen utensils, automobiles, buildings) 32,700 lbs of iron (kitchen utensils, automobiles, buildings) 28,213 lbs of salt (cooking, detergents) 28,213 lbs of salt (cooking, detergents) 1,238,101 lbs of stone, sand, gravel, cement (roads, homes, etc.) 1,238,101 lbs of stone, sand, gravel, cement (roads, homes, etc.)