Chapter 1

Introduction

Content

Definition of crystal and mineral What is mineralogy? Major directions of investigation Some preliminary advice

Definitions

Crystal Homogeneous chemical

compound with regular and

periodic atomic arrangement

Not restricted to minerals - most solid matter:sugar, cellulose, metals, bones, DNA

Mineral Naturally

occurring chemical

compound

Most, but not all, minerals are crystalline(some exceptions are opal, mercury, amorphous mineral products from radioactive decay)

What is mineralogy?

What is mineralogy?

The study of minerals Previously - simple definition Today - boundaries opened and overlap other

sciences Glaciology – ice (a mineral!) Medicine (biomineralogy) - Apatite, carbonates,

oxalates, urates Cement industry – non-natural cement minerals Environmental sciences – minerals formed by waste

alterations or contaminated water interactions

This course: Rock and ore-forming minerals – small subset of 4000

known minerals

Major directions of investigation

Main purpose Characterize of properties and chemical

compositions Conditions of mineral formation

Economically important - define resources & exploration techniques

Solution - problems with man-made products

Relates to crystallography, chemistry, material science, physics – use basic principles

Basic mineralogy

Basic mineralogy

Crystal chemistry Physical properties Mineral formation

Crystal growth Processes on earth surface and in

interior Chemical reactions, influence of T and P

Relationships between structure, composition, properties, habit, conditions of formation

Applied mineralogy

Applied mineralogy

Exploration and ore deposits Industrial mineralogy: cement Gemmology Biomineralogy Minerals as health hazards Mineralogical aspects of material

science and solid-state physics

Advice

Many new & complex concepts – own judgment

NB - learn mineral names, composition and uses

Useful for practical: Notebook - mineral descriptions

Geological occurrence and rock type Features of major minerals that you have

studied yourself Name, composition, distinguishing features,

application

Assignment

Blackboard:It’s all done with minerals

QUESTIONS?