Minerals

Rocks

• Naturally occuring • Solid substance • Orderly crystalline struture • Definite chemical composition • Generally considered inorganic

• Crystallization from magma • Precipitation • Pressure and temperature • Hydrothermal solutions (between 100 degrees C and 300 degrees C)

Determined by the internal arrangment of the atoms

Allotropes

They are grouped according to their chemical composition

• Most common group of minerals on earth • Consists of the two most abundant element’s in Earth’s crust: Silicon and Oxygen • Silicon and Oxygen combine to form a structure called the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron. Consists of one silicon atom and four oxygen atoms • Quartz is the most common silicate mineral. Feldspar is also common

• 2nd most common mineral group • Contains the elements carbon, oxygen, and one or more other metallic elements. Formula will contain CO3 • Calcite (CaCO3) is the most common carbonate mineral • Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) is another common carbonate mineral • Both limestone and marble are rocks composed of carbonate minerals • Acid will react with carbonates

• Contain oxygen and one or more other elements, which are usually metals • Hematite (Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) are common oxides • Rutlie (TiO2) is titanium oxide and is formed as magma cools deep beneath Earth’s surface • Corundum (AlO3) forms when existing minerals are subjected to changes in temperature and pressure. Red rubies and blue sapphires are popular corundum gemstones

• Contains SO4 (sulfer and oxygen) • Sulfates form when mineral-rich waters evaporate • Examples include anhydrite (CaSO4) and gypsum (CaSO4 * 2H2O)

• Contain sulfer and generally one metal • Often form from thermal, or hot-water, solutions • Galena (PbS), sphalerite (ZnS), and pyrite (FeS2) are common sulfides

• Contain a halogen ion plus one or more other elements • Include flourine (F), chlorine (C), bromine (Br), and iodine (I) (elements in group 17 on the periodic table) • Halite (NaCl), or table salt, is a common halide • Flourite (CaF2) forms when salt water evaporates

• Group of minerals that exsist in relatively pure form • Gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), sulfer (S), and carbon (C) are common native elements • Native forms of carbon are diamond and graphite

• Color • Streak • Luster (metallic or nonmetallic) • Hardness (uses Moh’s Hardness Scale) • Breakage pattern (cleavage: pattern/smooth and Fracture: random) • Acid tests (carbonates (like calcite and dolomite) will bubble) • Density or Specific Density (ratio to the density of water)

• Feel • Magnetic • Double refraction • Smell • Taste • Flame color • Fluorescence

2.5 - Fingernail 3 - Copper penny 5.5 - Glass 6.5 - Steel file

Quartz, feldspar, calcite, and mica

Ore is a useful metal or valuable mineral that can be mined at a profit. Common ore minerals are: pyrite, magnetite, hematite, galena, graphite, and sulfer

Oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron

These elements are highly reactive and form compounds with other elements

Bonds between atoms

Friedrich Mohs

Magetite (or lodestone)

Calcite