Minerals
Content
Rocks
Naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure.
1. “naturally occuring”- made by natural process; no help from
humans
2. “inorganic”-they are not living and never were living, not from
plants or animals
3. “solid” – not a liquid or gas
4. “definite crystalline structure”- the molecules are arranged in
repeating patterns
What is an element?
A pure substance that cannot be
broken down into simpler substances
by ordinary chemical means.
This is the Periodic Table of Elements.
The elements are organized by their
properties.
Page 794 in your book
Crystals
• The repeating pattern of atoms or molecules
that is present throughout a mineral is called
a crystal.
Two groups of Minerals
Silicates- minerals that contain a combination
of silicon and oxygen
Two groups of Minerals
Non-silicates: minerals that do not contain a
combination of silicon and oxygen
How can we tell
them apart??
mineral
identification
Luster-how it reflects
light
metallic or
nonmetallic; can also
be described as pearly,
silky, opaque, glassy.
Cleavage-breaks
leaving smooth,
flat surfaces
Special Propertiesfluorescent, magnetic, taste
Where can you find
minerals?
-in a dried up body of saltwater
-at the bottom of lakes & seas
-deep in the ground when minerals react
to the heat in magma
-in magma as it cools and hardens
Minerals are found in nature!
If a mineral is big enough,
geologists can get the elements out
of it. This is called an ore.
An ore is a mineral deposit large enough
and pure enough to be mined for profit.
Minerals can be mined 2 ways:
-surface mining
-subsurface mining
Uses of Minerals
Metallic minerals – good
conductors, don’t rust, strong
Nonmetallic minerals-good
insulators, used in industry
Gemstones-valued for their beauty
and rarity
Ex: diamonds, rubies, sapphires
Naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure.
1. “naturally occuring”- made by natural process; no help from
humans
2. “inorganic”-they are not living and never were living, not from
plants or animals
3. “solid” – not a liquid or gas
4. “definite crystalline structure”- the molecules are arranged in
repeating patterns
What is an element?
A pure substance that cannot be
broken down into simpler substances
by ordinary chemical means.
This is the Periodic Table of Elements.
The elements are organized by their
properties.
Page 794 in your book
Crystals
• The repeating pattern of atoms or molecules
that is present throughout a mineral is called
a crystal.
Two groups of Minerals
Silicates- minerals that contain a combination
of silicon and oxygen
Two groups of Minerals
Non-silicates: minerals that do not contain a
combination of silicon and oxygen
How can we tell
them apart??
mineral
identification
Luster-how it reflects
light
metallic or
nonmetallic; can also
be described as pearly,
silky, opaque, glassy.
Cleavage-breaks
leaving smooth,
flat surfaces
Special Propertiesfluorescent, magnetic, taste
Where can you find
minerals?
-in a dried up body of saltwater
-at the bottom of lakes & seas
-deep in the ground when minerals react
to the heat in magma
-in magma as it cools and hardens
Minerals are found in nature!
If a mineral is big enough,
geologists can get the elements out
of it. This is called an ore.
An ore is a mineral deposit large enough
and pure enough to be mined for profit.
Minerals can be mined 2 ways:
-surface mining
-subsurface mining
Uses of Minerals
Metallic minerals – good
conductors, don’t rust, strong
Nonmetallic minerals-good
insulators, used in industry
Gemstones-valued for their beauty
and rarity
Ex: diamonds, rubies, sapphires
