1. What is a mineral?

2. A mineral is 1.naturally formed 2.inorganic 3.solid 4.has a definite crystalline structure

3. More specifically…. Elements —are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. (Think periodic table!) They are made of one type of atom! All minerals contain one or more NATURALLY occurring elements Minerals that contain more than one atom are made of compounds. NaCl is a mineral (salt) and is made of two elements, so it’s a compound!

4. What is crystalline structure? All minerals have a repeating pattern of atoms called crystals. A crystal’s shape is determined by the arrangement of the atoms in the mineral. Salt has a crystal shaped like a cube Selenite in the Crystal Cave has a blade or block shape Quartz has a hexagonal shape with a pyramid shape at the top.

5. Two Main Groups of Minerals 1.Silicate Minerals 1.Have Silicon and Oxygen as part of their compound 2.Over 90% of minerals are silicate minerals 1.Quartz, 2.Feldspar 3.Mica 2.Non-silicate Minerals 1.Do not contain Silicon and Oxygen as part of their compound 2.Have Carbon, Fluorine, and Sulphur 1.Gold, Silver, Copper 2.Carbonate minerals 3.Halides 4.Sulfates 5.Oxides 6.Sulfides