Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks

Did you ever wonder what rocks are made of? Why do rocks come in so many different colors, shapes, and textures?

Main Idea All rocks are made up of minerals. Minerals may be identified by their physical properties.

What is a mineral? Most common substances found on Earth, such as table salt and the graphite in you pencils are made up of minerals. Minerals are natural, nonliving substances that make up rocks. –The building blocks of rocks! Some rocks are made up of several kinds of minerals, while others are only made up of one mineral.

Granite vs. Marble

What is a mineral? Each type of mineral has certain crystal shapes. –Cubes –Hexagons Scientists have identified over 3,000 kinds of minerals. Only about half of these are common in rocks. –Called rock-forming minerals

Different Minerals

How are minerals identified? Minerals are identified using five different physical properties. –Color –Luster –Cleavage –Streak –Hardness