Ms. SteeleMINERALS

What is a mineral?•A naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

How to Identify Minerals• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjA2-MrWAVU

•How can we identify minerals?

5 Characteristics All Minerals Share•1. Naturally occurring•2. Inorganic•3. Solid•4. Crystal Structure•5. Definite chemical composition

1. Naturally Occurring•It occurs in nature

•It CANNOT be created by people

2. Inorganic•The mineral cannot come from something that was once living

3. Solid•Has a definite volume and shape•Particles are tightly packed together•Particles cannot easily move•What else do we know about solids?

4. Crystal Structure• There are particles in a mineral• These particles line up in a pattern that repeats over and over again• This pattern creates a crystal

5. Definite Chemical Composition•It contains certain elements in exact proportions•Almost all minerals are compounds!

Station 1: Microcline•Color: •Green, white, grey•Luster: •Glassy•Hardness: •6-6.5•Streak: •White

Station 2: Plagioclase•Color: •White, gray, bluiish white, reddish white, greenish white

•Luster: •Glassy•Hardness: •6-6.5•Streak: •White

Station 3: Hornblende•Color: •Black, dark green, dark brown

•Luster: •Glassy•Hardness: •5 to 6•Streak: •White, colorless

Station 4: Muscovite•Color: •Black, brown, solver, brown, yellow, green, rose

•Luster: •Pearly to glassy•Hardness: •2.5 to 3•Streak: •White

Station 5: Biotite•Color: •Black, dark green, dark brown

•Luster:• Glassy•Hardness: •2.5 to 3•Streak: •White to gray; flakes often produced

Station 6: Calcite•Color: •White, gray•Luster: •Glassy•Hardness:• 3•Streak: •White

Station 7: Quartz •Color: •Clear, white, gray, purple, pink, etc.

•Luster: •Glassy•Hardness: •7•Streak: •Colorless

Is it a mineral?•Talc

Is it a mineral?•Talc•Yes!

Is it a mineral? •Quartz

Is it a mineral? •Quartz•Yes!

Is it a mineral?•Coal

Is it a mineral?•Coal•No! •It is organic•It is made of plants and animal remains

Is it a mineral?•Halite •Salt

Is it a mineral?•Halite •Salt•Yes!

Is it a mineral?•Ice

Is it a mineral?•Ice•No!