Lesson 2.1 Minerals

naturally-occurring, inorganic solid, with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal source

General Characteristics of a Mineral

the appearance of light reflected from a mineral surface.

measurement of the strength of the chemical bonds in its structure

not a reliable feature for identifying minerals because it can be altered by chemical impurities within its structure

composed primarily of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons

the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness is known as cleavage.

consists of a single metal such as copper and gold

composed of a halogen ion such as chlorine or fluorine which forms halite or rock salt

Specific gravity is the measure of the density of a mineral

characterized by the presence of carbonic ion

consists of metal cations bonded to oxygen anions

consists of metal cation bonded to sulfide

substances that fulfill all the requirements but do not have an ordered internal structure

consists of a metal cation bonded to the SO2 anionic group. They usually precipitate out of water near Earth’s surface

outward appearance of the mineral’s crystal form

a definite structure which crystallizes

dependent on the chemical composition of the mineral