With a partner near you… On a sheet of paper in your notes, come up with what you think defines a mineral. Make a list of properties. What makes a mineral different from a rock?

What is a Mineral?

What is a mineral? Solid Not liquid, gas, or plasma

What is a mineral? Naturally-occurring Not man-made

What is a mineral? Inorganic Never alive

What is a mineral? Fixed chemical composition: an element or a compound

What is a mineral? Crystal structure: atoms or molecules in an orderly pattern

Examples of minerals Halite (rock salt) Mica Quartz

Not minerals

Most minerals are compounds Quartz: silicon and oxygen SiO2 Most abundant in earth’s crust Halite: sodium and chloride NaCl

Native Minerals Made up of single elements Gold Copper Silver Sulfur

Important Mineral Facts… There are more than 2,000 kinds of minerals, but fewer than 20 are common minerals that form rock 10 minerals make up 90% of the earth’s crust Ex. Quartz, feldspar, mica, calcite

2 Main Groups of Minerals Silicates Non-Silicates

Silicates They contain atoms of silicon (Si) and oxygen (O). Forms a tetrahedron (see drawing) Many contain one or more kind of atom Ex. Feldspar – silicon and oxygen with potassium SiO2 - Quartz *96% of the crust is made of silicates

Non-silicates 6 Groups

#1 Native Elements One type of atom

#2 Halides K, Na, or Ca cation, with a Cl or F anion Halite (NaCl)

#3 Sulfides Contains S atom Pyrite (FeS2)

#4 Carbonates Contains CO3 as part of the compound

#5 Sulfates Contains SO4 as part of the compound Gypsum (CaSO42H2O )

Gypsum Caves Largest Crystals in the World are found in Northern Mexico in the Cave of Crystals Cave of Crystals Video

Oxides Contains O atom except for silicates, carbonates, and sulfates. Hematite (Fe2O3 )