Minerals

What is the difference in picture A and B? (Other than the obvious)

What is a mineral? Formed by natural processes such as cooling magma and evaporating saltwater Inorganic – not made by life processes Element or a compound with definite chemical composition (structure) Solid and crystalline (atoms in patterns that repeat over and over again)

Properties of Minerals The environment which the mineral forms determines it properties Evaporating salt water Changes in heat, pressure, and chemical composition (metamorphism) Cooling of magma Hot water solutions etc.

S.N.I.F.C. Solid-not liquid, gas, or plasma Naturally Occurring-Not manmade Inorganic–Not alive, never was Fixed Composition - Same recipe everywhere, every time (Element or Compound-Not a mixture) C rystal Structure- way the atoms are arranged

How are minerals classified? Minerals are grouped based on crystal systems. Minerals are divided in groups based on their chemical composition

How are minerals identified? Properties (How can you tell them apart?) Streak Breakage (cleavage and Fracture Unique properties Hardness Luster Density

Hardness Hardness is determined by how easily a mineral can be scratched. Mohs Scale of Hardness is used to measure the hardness of a mineral

Hardness of Common Objects Mohs Scale Hardness Hardness of Common Objects Talc (softest) 1 Fingernail 2.5 Gypsum 2 Piece of copper 2.5-3.0 Calcite 3 Iron nail 4.5 Fluorite 4 Glass 5.5 Apatite 5 Steel file 6.5 Feldspar 6 Streak plate 7.0 Quartz 7 Flint sandpaper Topaz 8 Spinel (rock shops) Corundum 9 Emery sandpaper Diamond (hardest) 10 Carborundum sandpaper

Luster The way a mineral reflects light. Ex. Shiny or dull Ex.Metallic or Nonmetallic

Density The measure of how much matter is in a given amount of matter Ratio of an object’s mass to its volume

Streak The color of the power of a mineral. Tested by streaking the mineral across another object (object must be harder than the mineral)

Breakage Clevage-breaks along smooth, flat surfaces Fracture-breaks with an uneven, rough, or jagged surface

Unique Properties Many minerals have unique characteristics that can also be used to identify the mineral. Example-natural magnet, double refraction, odor, taste, reaction to acids, fluorescence, etc.

Uses of Minerals Minerals are a component of everyday life because they are a part of everyday objects Jewerly (gems-rare minerals) Diamonds are used in industrial abrasives and cutting tools Some minerals are used to produce specific types of laser light Quartz is used in electronics Minerals that contain useful substances can be mined (Ex. Bauxite-aluminum; Ilemenite and Rutile-titanium)