MineralsMinerals

4 requirements to be 4 requirements to be considered a mineral:considered a mineral:

1.1. NaturallyNaturally OccurringOccurring (not manmade) (not manmade)

4 requirements to be 4 requirements to be considered a mineral:considered a mineral:

2.2. InorganicInorganic – not from living things – not from living things

Arsenic mineralsArsenic minerals

4 requirements to be 4 requirements to be considered a mineral:considered a mineral:

3.3. Unique Unique chemicalchemical compositioncomposition (chemical (chemical formula)formula)

CalciteCalcite

4 requirements to be 4 requirements to be considered a mineral:considered a mineral:

4.4. Definite Definite structuralstructural patternpattern (crystalline) (crystalline)

QuartzQuartz

Earth’s CompositionEarth’s Composition Elements found on Earth: Elements found on Earth: 117117 but but

only only 88 are common are common Elements found in minerals: about Elements found in minerals: about 1212

Relationship to RocksRelationship to Rocks Are minerals rocks? Are minerals rocks? YesYes Are all rocks minerals? Are all rocks minerals? NotNot alwaysalways Why? Not all Why? Not all rocksrocks fit the criteria of fit the criteria of

a a mineralmineral

Mineral FormationMineral Formation PrecipitationPrecipitation: minerals : minerals settlesettle out of out of

solutionsolution CrystallizationCrystallization: structured : structured

organization of organization of atomsatoms Crystal Crystal sizesize: depends on amount of : depends on amount of

timetime to grow to grow

Physical Properties:Physical Properties:1.1. ColorColor – this is the LEAST RELIABLE – this is the LEAST RELIABLE

One mineral can come in One mineral can come in manymany colorscolors Many minerals can be the Many minerals can be the samesame colorcolor

QuartzQuartz

Physical Properties:Physical Properties:2.2. StreakStreak – the color of the mineral in – the color of the mineral in

powderedpowdered form form May be different than its May be different than its colorcolor MoreMore reliable reliable

PyritePyrite

Physical Properties:Physical Properties:3.3. LusterLuster – how it shines or – how it shines or reflectsreflects light light

MetallicMetallic (shiny) vs. (shiny) vs. nonmetallicnonmetallic (dull, glossy) (dull, glossy)

Metallic LusterMetallic Luster Nonmetallic Luster Nonmetallic Luster

Physical Properties:Physical Properties:4.4. HardnessHardness – resistance to being – resistance to being

scratchedscratched Moh’sMoh’s hardness scale hardness scale Ranges from Ranges from 11 (soft) to (soft) to 1010 (hard) (hard)

HardnessHardness Each number is a different Each number is a different mineralmineral Ex: 1= Ex: 1= TalcTalc, 10=, 10=DiamondDiamond, 7= , 7= QuartzQuartz

HardnessHardness The hardness of tools used to identify The hardness of tools used to identify

minerals can also be on the scaleminerals can also be on the scale

Ex: Fingernail = Ex: Fingernail = 2.52.5 Penny = Penny = 3.53.5 Glass = Glass = 5.55.5 Steel nail = Steel nail = 6.56.5

Physical Properties:Physical Properties:5.5. CleavageCleavage – tendency of a mineral to – tendency of a mineral to

split along planes of weaknesssplit along planes of weakness Up to Up to 33 planes planes

Physical Properties:Physical Properties:6.6. FractureFracture – uneven breaks (no – uneven breaks (no

cleavage)cleavage)

Other Possibly Useful Other Possibly Useful Properties:Properties:

1.1. MagneticMagnetic

Other Possibly Useful Other Possibly Useful Properties:Properties:

2.2. TasteTaste (not recommended) (not recommended) Ex: Ex: HaliteHalite

Other Possibly Useful Other Possibly Useful Properties:Properties:

3.3. AcidAcid test – some minerals bubble in test – some minerals bubble in hydrochlorichydrochloric acid acid

Ex: Ex: CalciteCalcite

Other Possibly Useful Other Possibly Useful Properties:Properties:

4.4. DoubleDouble RefractionRefraction – can see two – can see two images through the mineralimages through the mineral

Ex: Ex: CalciteCalcite

Other Possibly Useful Other Possibly Useful Properties:Properties:

5.5. FluorescenceFluorescence: glow under UV light: glow under UV light

***IMPORTANT: The physical ***IMPORTANT: The physical properties of a mineral are due to the properties of a mineral are due to the internal internal arrangementarrangement of its of its atomsatoms!***!***

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