Chapter 3 Outcomes

• Identify at least 15 minerals correctly.

• Define and use these mineral properties to identify minerals. –Color, Streak, Luster, Breakage,

Hardness, Optical Properties, Chemical Properties, Crystal Shape, and Specific Gravity

• Define gem and ore. Give examples of items made from gems and ores

Chapter 3:What is a Mineral?

Minerals are:

• 1. Natural–Made in nature, by nature.

Talc

Minerals are:• 2. Inorganic

–Not alive, never was alive, not produced by something living.

Shells are produced by living things. They are NOT inorganic (they’re organic).

These material in these ceramic bowls came from minerals. They ARE inorganic.

Minerals are:

• 3. Solid–Minerals can form from liquids, but they

can’t be liquid.

Not a mineral. Can be a mineral.

Minerals have:• 4. A definite chemical composition.

–Each mineral is made of a particular mix of chemical elements that is unique to that mineral.

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Minerals have:• 5. Crystalline structure.

–Orderly internal arrangement of atoms.

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To sum it all up:

• Minerals are naturally occuring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.

How are minerals different from rocks?

• Minerals must meet all 5 criteria in order to be considered a mineral.

–Minerals are pure substances…only that one chemical is present in a mineral.

• Rocks can be mixtures of minerals (not pure substances), can be organic or inorganic, and don’t have to have crystalline structures.

Rock or Mineral? Activity

• 1. Fold a piece of paper in half.• 2. Label 1 side ROCKS and the

other MINERALS.• 3. Divide the samples in the box into

groups: rock or mineral.• 4. Record on the paper: sample number

and characteristics that are true for that group of samples.