MINERAL VOCABULA

RY

INB pp. 2 & 3

p. 3: definition

sp. 2:

illustrations and/or

examples

ELEMENT The simplest form of a substance that

cannot be broken down into smaller parts

COMPOUND Substance that contains two or more

elements chemically combined (different than a molecule)

Each color represents DIFFERENT elements!

MOLECULE Group of atoms that are linked together

by chemical bonds (can be from the SAME element)

COVALENT BOND Strongest of the chemical bonds; two

atoms SHARE electrons

IONIC BOND Bond made from two oppositely charged

ions (positive & negative) attracting and bonding together

METALLIC BOND Weakest of the chemical bonds;

minerals with streak have this type of bond

MINERAL Solid, inorganic substance that occurs in

nature, with a definite chemical composition and a crystal structure (ISODA)

CRYSTAL When atoms are bonded together in a

repeating pattern

NATIVE ELEMENT Also called a native mineral; an element

that meets the 5 criteria for a mineral and is also found on the periodic tableEX: gold, silver, copper, sulfur, diamond,

and graphite

SILICATE mineral group that forms the common

rock forming minerals; all have a silicon and oxygen atom

SPECIFIC GRAVITY The density of a mineral compared to

the density of water

MOH’S HARDNESS Scale that compares a mineral’s

resistance to being scratched on a scale from 1 to 10; 10 being the hardest