MineraMineralsls
MineralsMinerals
What is a Mineral?What is a Mineral?NNever ever SSneeze neeze iin n DDenver, enver,
CColorado!olorado!
NNaturally Occurring (found naturally aturally Occurring (found naturally in nature)in nature)
SSolidolid
IInorganic (Do not come from living norganic (Do not come from living
things)things)
What is a Mineral?What is a Mineral?NNever ever SSneeze neeze IIn n DDenver, enver,
CColorado!olorado! DDefinite Chemical Composition: Minerals are efinite Chemical Composition: Minerals are
expressed by a specific chemical formula expressed by a specific chemical formula which tells you the types and amounts of which tells you the types and amounts of elements are found in a given type of mineral.elements are found in a given type of mineral.
-Gold (Au)-Gold (Au)
-Calcite (CaCO3) -Calcite (CaCO3)
-Quartz (SiO2)-Quartz (SiO2)
-Pyrite (FeS2)-Pyrite (FeS2)
What is a Mineral?What is a Mineral?NNever ever SSneeze neeze iin n DDenver, enver,
CColorado!olorado! CCrystal Structure: Ordered arrangement rystal Structure: Ordered arrangement
of atoms in patterns that give each type of atoms in patterns that give each type of mineral a characteristic crystal shape .of mineral a characteristic crystal shape .
Naturally OccurringNaturally Occurring
Formed by natural processes Formed by natural processes not in not in the laboratorythe laboratory
SolidSolid
Not gas or liquidNot gas or liquid
-H-H22O as ice in a glacier is a mineral, O as ice in a glacier is a mineral, but but
water is notwater is not
InorganicInorganic
Do not come from living thingsDo not come from living things
Formed by inorganic processesFormed by inorganic processes
Does not contain chains of carbon Does not contain chains of carbon atomsatoms
Definite Chemical Definite Chemical CompositionComposition
Minerals are expressed by a Minerals are expressed by a specific specific chemical formula which tells you the chemical formula which tells you the types and amounts of elements types and amounts of elements found in a given type of mineralfound in a given type of mineral..
-Gold (Au)-Gold (Au)
-Calcite (CaCO-Calcite (CaCO33))
-Quartz (SiO-Quartz (SiO22))
-Pyrite (FeS-Pyrite (FeS22))
Crystal StructureCrystal Structure
Ordered arrangement of atoms in Ordered arrangement of atoms in patterns patterns
Minerals have a characteristic crystal shape Minerals have a characteristic crystal shape resulting from the atomic packing of the resulting from the atomic packing of the atoms when the mineral is formingatoms when the mineral is forming
8
Apatite
Feldspar
Diamond
Quartz
Economic Importance of Economic Importance of MineralsMinerals
Minerals are in many things we see Minerals are in many things we see and use everyday such as; and use everyday such as; glass, glass, cement, plaster, iron, gold. cement, plaster, iron, gold.
An ore is a rock that contains a metal or economically useful mineral.
Uses of MineralsUses of Minerals
Minerals are also the source of Minerals are also the source of metals, gems, food and medicines.metals, gems, food and medicines.
A gemstone is a hard, colorful mineral that has a brilliant or glassy luster.
Every American Requires Every American Requires 40,000 Pounds of New Minerals 40,000 Pounds of New Minerals
per Yearper Yearat this level of consumption the average newborn infant at this level of consumption the average newborn infant
will need a lifetime supply of:will need a lifetime supply of: 795 lbs of lead (car batteries, electric 795 lbs of lead (car batteries, electric
components)components) 757 lbs of zinc (to make brass, rubber, paints)757 lbs of zinc (to make brass, rubber, paints) 1500lbs of copper (electrical motors, wirings1500lbs of copper (electrical motors, wirings 3593 lbs aluminum (soda cans, aircraft)3593 lbs aluminum (soda cans, aircraft) 32,700 lbs of iron (kitchen utensils, automobiles, 32,700 lbs of iron (kitchen utensils, automobiles,
buildings) buildings) 28,213 lbs of salt (cooking, detergents)28,213 lbs of salt (cooking, detergents) 1,238,101 lbs of stone, sand, gravel, cement 1,238,101 lbs of stone, sand, gravel, cement
(roads, homes, etc.)(roads, homes, etc.)
Where Do Minerals Come Where Do Minerals Come From?From?Magma
Evaporation
How do minerals form?How do minerals form?
Crystallization from magmaCrystallization from magma Precipitation (rain, sleet, snow)Precipitation (rain, sleet, snow) Pressure and temperaturePressure and temperature Hydrothermal solutions Hydrothermal solutions
(hydro=water, (hydro=water,
thermal = heat) thermal = heat)
How Are Minerals Identified?How Are Minerals Identified?
ColorColor LusterLuster HardnessHardness StreakStreak DensityDensity Crystal ShapeCrystal Shape Cleavage and Fracture (how it breaks apart)Cleavage and Fracture (how it breaks apart) Other Unique or Special PropertiesOther Unique or Special Properties
Minerals are identified by a combination of properties that are unique to each type of mineral.
HardnessHardness The ability of a mineral to resist The ability of a mineral to resist
being scratched being scratched Resistance to scratching by different Resistance to scratching by different
items; “scratchability”items; “scratchability”
Mohs Hardness ScaleMohs Hardness Scale
>2 fingernail 3 penny
~5 Steel of a pocket knife 5.5 Window Glass6.6 Steel of a file 7 quartz crystal
Mohs Mineral Hardness Mohs Mineral Hardness ScaleScale
1) Talc 1) Talc
2) Gypsum 2) Gypsum
3) Calcite 3) Calcite
4) Flourite 4) Flourite
5) Apatite 5) Apatite
6) Feldspar 6) Feldspar
7) Quartz 7) Quartz
8) Topaz 8) Topaz
9) 9) Corundum Corundum
10) Diamond10) Diamond
Softest
Hardest
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
StreakStreak
The color of the powder left when a The color of the powder left when a mineral is scratched on a surface mineral is scratched on a surface
Determined by rubbing the mineral on a Determined by rubbing the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain (streak plate)piece of unglazed porcelain (streak plate)
LusterLuster The way a mineral reflects light The way a mineral reflects light General appearance of a mineral surface General appearance of a mineral surface
in reflected lightin reflected light
Glassy-Obsidian
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