1- naturally occurring 2- inorganic (nonliving) 3- solid 4- crystal structure 5- definite chemical composition

Ways in which to identify minerals from one another…..

Pattern by which atoms of a mineral are arranged

none of the lengths or angles are equal

Six sided

3 unequal lengths, 2 of the lengths are perpendicular to each other.

All angles are perpendicular; 2 lengths are equal to each other

All angles are perpendicular, but all lengths are unequal.

All angles are perpendicular, and all lengths are equal.

The measure of how easy a mineral can be scratched.

Hardness Mineral Name 1 Talc 2 Gypsum 2.5 Fingernail 3 Calcite 3.5 Copper Penny 4 Fluorite 4.5 Iron Nail 5 Apatite 6 Feldspar 6.5 Steel Plate 7 Quartz/Glass Plate 8 Topaz 9 Corundum (Ruby) 10 Diamond

how light is reflected off of a mineral’s surface.

Shiny like metal

Does not reflect light

The color of a mineral’s powder when it is scratched against a plate.

When a mineral breaks along smooth, flat surfaces

When a mineral breaks unevenly (no flat surfaces)

Least useful way to identify a mineral Some minerals come in many colors Flourite

Garnet

Some other special properties that some minerals have are: Magnetism: The ability of an object to either attract or repel an object that exerts a magnetic field. Birefringence: The optical property that splits a single light ray, and reflects it back as 2 identical images (Calcite) (seeing double)

Malleability: The ability of a substance to be bendable, or moldable. Ductility: The ability of a substance to be made into wire. Example… Gold Example… Copper

Used to make glass, lenses, and computer parts

Used to make drywall (sheetrock)

Table Salt

Used to make computer parts

Baby powder

Iron; used for many things

Aluminum; used for cans

Pipes and wire

Pencils

Concrete

Substance that has some but NOT ALL of the properties of a mineral Examples: Coal, Pearl/Aragonite, and Opal

Mineral Resources are not necessarily minerals. Oil and Coal are both mineral resources, but are not minerals.

A rock or mineral that can be mined for a profit for what is contained inside it Examples… Gold Ore and Iron Ore

For Construction Found all over Virginia

used to make liners for landfills and bricks

Used in construction Found in mountains of VA. Found mostly in the Piedmont

Found in VERY small amounts in VA. Found mostly in the beach areas Used in construction

Used by power plants Found in SW Virginia Found in VERY small amounts in VA Used for energy