1. Minerals

2. Minerals Naturally occurring Inorganic
Crystalline solid (atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern)
Definite chemical composition

3. Why do we study Minerals?
Starting point for all geologic formations and activity
Rocks and molten rock (lava, magma) are what shape the surface of our planet

4. Minerals Can Be Elements or Compounds
Single elements that are also minerals are called native elements (ex: copper)
Most minerals are compounds made from different elements
8 most common elements:
Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, Iron, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium

5. How Minerals Form The cooling and hardening of magma
When water containing dissolved ions evaporate
Sustained pressure, heat, or chemical action can change minerals into other minerals

6. Mineral’s Crystalline Structure
All minerals are crystalline (all of their atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern)
The atoms pattern can be used to identify a mineral
Crystal system controls the way a mineral forms and breaks

7. Crystal System Models
Color the shapes according the colors listed below. A:Red B: Blue C: Green D:Yellow E: Orange F: White
Cut them out
Fold them along all the black lines
Put glue on the small tabs and CAREFULLY glue them into the shapes they fold into.
You will need the small images of the crystals. Cut them and secure them in a safe place. Do NOT lose them!

8. The 6 Crystal Systems: #1 Cubic System
3 axes of equal length that intersect at 90 degree angles
Example
Halite (Rock Salt)

9. The Six Crystal Systems #2
Orthorhombic System
Three axis of different length that intersect at 90 degree angles
Examples:
Sulfur, Topaz

10. The Six Crystal Systems #3
Tetragonal System
Three axes, 2 of the same length, one that differs
Examples:
Wulfenite

11. The Six Crystal Systems #4
Triclinic System
Three axes of unequal length that intersect at oblique angles.
Example:
Turquoise

12. The Six Crystal Systems #5
Hexagonal System
Three horizontal axes that are the same length, and a vertical axis that is longer then the horizontal axes.
Example:
Quartz
Graphite

13. The Six Crystal Systems #6
Monoclinic System
Three unequal axes, two intersect at 90 degrees, the third is oblique to the other two
Example:
Gypsum, Borax

14. Physical Properties Color: The color as it appears to the naked eye
Not effective in identifying minerals
Some are similar in color
Others can have their color changed
Some come in multiple colors

15. Physical Properties
Streak: the color of the powder a mineral leaves after rubbing it on a streak plate.
More effective than color because the streak is often different than the color, and can be distinct to the mineral

16. Properties Cont’d Luster: the way a mineral shines and reflects light
Metallic Luster: Shines like a polished metal
Ex: Pyrite, Galena, Hematite, Magnetite
Non-Metallic: Anything non-metallic.
Ex: Quartz, Fluorite, Sulfur, Opal

17. Mohs Hardness Scale
Hardness: A mineral’s resistance to being scratched
Moh’s Hardness Scale: The hardness of minerals relative to each other/scratching implements.
These are labeled 1-10, 1 being the softest, 10 the hardest.

18. Mineral
Tools
1.Talc
Fingernail
(2.5)
2.Gypsum
3.Calcite
Nail
(Avoid the point)
(4.5)
4.Fluorite
5.Apatite
Glass
(5.5)
6.Feldspar
7.Quartz
Streak Plate (5-8)
8.Topaz
9.Corundum
10. Diamond

19. Cleavage
Cleavage: the tendency of a mineral to split along a certain plane or planes
Not all minerals have cleavage
We describe it in numbers of planes and angles of intersection

20. Fracture Fracture: When minerals don’t break along certain planes
3 KINDS
Conchoidal: Shell Like and smooth
Hackly: Jagged Edges
Fibrous: Breaks into strands

21. Special Properties
Texture: Having a unique feel to the touch (talc, graphite)
Effervescence: Reacts by bubbling when exposed to hydrochloric acid (calcite, dolomite)
Taste: What does it taste like?… Duh… (Halite/Rock Salt)

22. Special Properties Cont’d
Smell: (Sulfur smells like eggs)
Magnetism: Mineral has magnetic properties (Magnetite)
Density: the amount of water it displaces (Metallic lusters are generally denser)
Phosphorescence: Does it glow under black light? (Fluorite)

23. Today = Finish Dummies Guide
Make sure all information is complete.
All charts and test are complete.
Accurately identify minerals A, B, C, D using your notes and classification chart.

24. The Silicates Silicates: Compound of the elements Silicon and Oxygen
90% of minerals are silicates
Form from the cooling of Lava/Magma
The Si and O join to form Silicon-Oxygen Tetrahedrons

25. Silicate Minerals: Quartz:
Multiple forms of quartz (rose, amethyst, crystal)
Conchoidal Fracture
Mohs Hardness: 7
Luster: Glassy

27. Silicate Minerals Continued…
Feldspar:
The most abundant family of minerals in earth crust
Plagioclase or Orthoclase Feldspar
2-3 directions of cleavage
Mohs Hardness: 6
Luster: Pearly

28. Silicate Minerals Continued…
Mica  2 Types
Muscovite mica (white mica), and Biotite mica (black or brown)
One distinct Cleavage (makes long sheets)
Mohs Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Pearly

29. Silicate Minerals Continued…
Talc
The softest mineral, talcum powder is pure ground up talc
1 direction of cleavage
Mohs Hardness: 1
Luster: Pearly/Oily

30. Silicate Minerals Continued…
Olivine:
Olive green silicate
Belongs to a family where silicates bond to metal ions, ocassionally found in meteors
Conchoidal Fracture
Mohs Hardness: 6.5
Luster: Glassy

31. Silicate Minerals Continued…
Garnet:
A very common gemstone
Conchoidal Fracture
Hardness: 6-7.5
Luster: Vitreous to resinous

32. Other Mineral Groups Carbonates 2nd most common mineral group
Contains the elements carbon and oxygen and one or more other metallic elements
EX. Calcite, Dolomite

33. Carbonate Minerals CALCITE FIZZES WITH ACID!!! Luster: Glassy Calcite:
Composed of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
CALCITE FIZZES WITH ACID!!!
3 directions of cleavage
Mohs Hardness: 3
Luster: Glassy

34. Carbonate Minerals Luster: Glassy/Vitreous Dolomite:
Composed of a Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3)
3 directions of cleavage
Mohs Hardness: 3.5 to 4.0
Luster: Glassy/Vitreous

35. Other Mineral Groups Halides:
Contain a halogen ion plus one of more elements
Formed from salt water evaporation
EX. Halite, Fluorite

36. Other Mineral Groups Sulfides/ Sulfates:
Contain the element sulfur and one other element, often metallic
EX. Gypsum, Pyrite

37. Bellringer Quiz
1. ______The way a mineral reflects or “reacts” to light
2. ______A mineral’s resistance to being scratched
3. ______ Includes taste, effervesence, smell, phosphorescence
4. ______Describes the way minerals naturally split
5. ______The color of a minerals powder when rubbed across an unglazed porcelain plate
6. ______When minerals don’t break along cleavage lines
7. ______Considered to be a not-reliable way to I.D. minerals
8. Define mineral!
9. Why are color AND luster unreliable for IDing minerals?

38. Other Mineral Groups
Oxides: Contain oxygen and one or more other element usual a metal.
Can form from magma or from weathering
EX. Hematite (Rust), Corundum, Magnetite

39. Other Mineral Groups
Native Elements:elements that exists in relative pure forms
Many form from hydrothermal solutions
EX. Diamond and Graphite (carbon), silver, gold, copper, sulfur

40. Mineral uses Talc – talcum powder
Quartz – Glass, Sand Paper, Amethyst Gems
Diamond – Gems, drills
Beryl – Emerald Gems
Corundum – Ruby Gems
Gypsum – Drywall
Halite – Rock Salt
Copper – Wire, Jewelry, etc…
Galena - Lead ore

41. Bellringer Picture

42. Iron Oxide and Sulfates
Oxides
-A mineral consisting of a metal element combined with oxygen
Sulfates
-A mineral consisting of a metal element combined with sulfur

43. Iron Oxide Minerals Hematite The most common Iron Oxide mineral
Red to brown streak on streak plate
Mohs Hardness: 5 to 6
Luster:Metallic (sometimes earthy if it gets worn down)

44. Iron Oxide Minerals Magnetite: A black magnetic iron oxide
Mineral has magnetic properties
Black streak
Mohs Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5
Luster: Metallic to Dull

45. Iron Sulfides Pyrite: An Iron Sulfide (Fe3SO4)
Occurs in 6 and 12 sided crystals
“Fools Gold”
Greenish-Black streak
Mohs Hardness: 6.0
Luster: Metallic