PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that...

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PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

description

Luster Luster describes how a mineral reflects light from its surface. Such as:  Description Examples  GlassyQuartz  SilkyGypsum  GreasyTalc, some Quartz  MetallicGold, Pyrite, Galena etc  EarthyKaolin  Waxysome Serpentine  PearlyGypsum, some Talc  Resinous Amber  BrilliantDiamond  DullGraphite

Transcript of PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that...

Page 1: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

Page 2: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

What is a mineral?

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

Page 3: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Luster

Luster describes how a mineral reflects light from its surface. Such as:

Description Examples Glassy Quartz Silky Gypsum Greasy Talc, some Quartz Metallic Gold, Pyrite, Galena etc Earthy Kaolin Waxy some Serpentine Pearly Gypsum, some Talc Resinous Amber Brilliant Diamond Dull Graphite

Page 4: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Color The color of a mineral is a physical property that is easy to

observe.

Color can only be used for a few minerals that have their own specific color.

The color of a mineral alone does not usually give enough information to make a definite identification. Some minerals come in many colors

Page 5: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Streak

Streak tells the color of a mineral’s powder. To find the streak of a mineral you rub the mineral against an unglazed tile called a streak plate.

Page 6: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Magnetism

• Some minerals attract metals

Page 7: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Effervescence

• Carbonate minerals are unstable when in contact with hydrochloric acid (HCl)

• They effervesce (fizz)

Page 8: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Hardness- Mohs Hardness Scale

Hardness (how hard a mineral is) is one of the best properties that can be used to help identify a mineral

Mohs Hardness Scale ranks 10 minerals from softest to hardest, Talc is softest and Diamond is hardest

Page 9: PROPERTIES OF MINERALS. What is a mineral? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Hardness- Mohs Hardness Scale