What is a Mineral pages 103-114 the building blocks of rocks Minerals of Earth’s Crust

Mineral definition A mineral is a natural, usually inorganic solid that has a characteristic chemical composition, an orderly internal structure, and a characteristic set of physical properties.

Five characteristics naturally formed inorganic crystalline structure solid definite chemical composition

Naturally Formed Not man made, naturally occurring

 Inorganic Organic means living so, this means non-living

Crystalline structure The atoms are arranged in a pattern that repeats over and over

Solid Definite volume and shape Not a liquid or gas

Definite Chemical Composition Its chemical composition may be written down in a formula and is fairly consistent or within a range   Example: Halite (salt) NaCl Galena (lead) Pb

Kinds of Minerals More than 4,000 have been identified Fewer than 20 are common These are called rock-forming minerals

These ten make up 90% of the crust Quartz Orthoclase Plagioclase Muscovite Biotite Calcite Dolomite Halite Gypsum Ferromagnesian minerals

Ferromagnesian mineral Contain iron and magnesium

Two groups of minerals Silicates Non-silicates-- Based on chemical composition Silicates Non-silicates--

Silicates—contain a combination of Silicon, Si Oxygen, O Silicates make up more than 90% of the Earth’s crust

Six Kinds of Silicate Mineral Arrangements Isolated-do not link with other silicon or oxygen atoms Ring silicates—form rings by sharing oxygen atoms Single-chain silicates—form by sharing oxygen atoms Double chain silicates—form when two single chains of tetrahedra bond to each other Sheet silicates—form when each tetrahedron shares three of its oxygen with other tetrahedra Framework silicates—form when each tetrahedron is bonded to four other tetrahedra

Nonsilicates 5 groups Carbonates Halides Native elements Oxides Sulfates Sulfides

From page 105 Write name of group Composition do not fail to write it all! An example of a mineral form each group

Silica tetrahedra Lab Part 1 Materials Toothpicks Marshmallows Page 106

Silicon tetrahedra lab part 2 Cut out the tetrahedron Arrange tetrahedron to form the six kinds of silicate mineral arrangements (page 107) Glue onto construction paper and label structures

O S SO4 single metals group VII CO3 OH PO4

Mineral Identification Minerals are identified using their physical properties. These include crystal form, hardness, cleavage, luster, color, streak, and specific gravity.  

Crystal Form Crystal form is caused by the orderly internal arrangement of atoms Quartz is the most commonly identified by its crystal form

Two or more minerals that have the same chemical composition but different crystal structures are called polymorphs.

Hardness Moh's Scale of Hardness   10 Diamond 9 Corundum 8 Topaz 7 Quartz 6 Feldspar 5 Apatite 4 Fluorite 3 Calcite 2 Gypsum 1 Talc  

Hardness of some common objects 2.5 Fingernail 3 Penny 5 Pocket Knife 5.5 Window Glass 7 Steel File   Learn these!

Cleavage The tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness. Some have good cleavage, some poor. It depends on the crystal structure and chemical bonds: the stronger the bond the poorer the cleavage.

Fracture A break that is not along a cleavage plane Common type is conchoidal fracture. Ex. Quartz Broken glass appearance Or can be splinters and fibers--asbestos

Luster The way light reflects from the surface I. Metallic II. Nonmetallic Greasy Silky Pearly Glassy

Color Color is good for a few minerals like copper and turquoise, but is not a very reliable means of identification. The majority of minerals appear in a variety of colors. Impurities can change the color.

Streak The color of the powdered mineral Much more reliable. Drag the mineral across a streak plate. Hematite--reddish brown to black, but usually reddish brown Limonite--yellowish brown  

Specific Gravity d=m/v Density = mass/volume A mineral’s density Densities are compared to an equal volume of water There is no unit Quartz -- 2.65 Silver -- 10.5 Gold -- 19.3

Other Tests Taste Halite--NaCl has a salty taste  

Fizz If a mineral contains CO3 it will effervesce (fizz) when you drop dilute HCl (hydrochloric acid) on it. Ex. Calcite CaCO3 

Feel Talc has a soapy feel  

Smell Sulfur has a rotten egg smell Kaolinite has an earthy smell 

Etc Writes on paper--graphite Rusty look—limonite

How to Identify Minerals This film reviews some of the tests covered in your notes.

Mineral Lab Test each of the minerals to determine their physical properties, and then identify them using the chart. Fill this in well. This is a major grade.