Mineral Characteristics

Inorganic

Describe: Minerals are/were NEVER part of living organisms.

4.1 Lecture Notes

NaturalExplain: Minerals develop in nature without the help of organisms!Also, they are not man-made!

4.1 Lecture Notes

SolidExplain: Minerals are always in solid form (have definite shapes & volumes).

4.1 Lecture Notes

NOT LIQUID! NOT GAS!SOLID AS A ROCK!

Predictable Chemical CompositionExplain: Minerals are made up of 1 or more elements, and each has the same chemical composition throughout.

4.1 Lecture Notes

Pure gold mineralKyanite: aluminum + silicon

Internal Atomic Pattern (crystals)Explain: Minerals develop when atoms are added to a smooth surface (crystal face). Faces develop at angles to one another.

Slower cooling = larger crystal size.

4.1 Lecture Notes

LARGE CRYSTALS SMALL CRYSTALS

Silicates

CompositionFerromagnesian- containing large amounts of iron & magnesium

Mainly silicon + oxygen;Most plentiful elementsIn Earth’s crust

Non-ferromagnesian- containing little iron& magnesium

Characteristics: Dark in color

Light in colorCharacteristics:

Sulfides Compounds that combine with sulfur.

Example: lead + sulfur =

The lead in batteries comesFrom galena.

Carbonates: A carbon atom with 3 oxygenAtoms.

Calcium carbonate

Halides: Compounds that combine with chlorine, fluorine, bromine, or iodine.

Known as salts.

Sulfates: A sulfur atom with 4 oxygen atoms.

Copper Sulfate

Oxides: Contain an element combinedwith oxygen.

NativeElements:

Minerals that contain only ONE type of atom (element).

GOLD COPPER

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