Minerals and Resources Test

atom

smallest particle of matter that contains all of the characteristics of an element

element

a substance that cannot be broken down into a simplest form

compound

composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture

what are the common elements of earth's continental crust?

silicon (Si) = about 47%

oxygen (O) = about 28%

protons

positively charged particles in the nucleus

neutrons

particles with no charge in the nucleus

electrons

negatively charged particles outside the nucleus

isotope

when there are a different number of protons from neutrons

ions

charged particles (+ or -)

atomic number (AN)

number of protons

mass number (MN)

number of protons - number of neutrons (for every proton, there is an electron)

calculating atomic mass (EX: silver)

atomic number is 47

atomic mass is 108

to find number of protons, look at AN. P = 47

to find electrons, same as protons. E = 47

to find neutrons, 108-47 = 61 (AN-MN) N = 61

ionic bond

when two atoms combine by giving or receiving an atom, forms between a positive and negative ion ex. NaCl (salt)

covalent bond

when two atoms share electrons ex: H2O (water) and SiO4 (quartz)

mineral characteristics

naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, definite chemical composition (unique combination of elements), crystalline shape (arrangement of atoms)

Mineral formation

magma (crystallization)

how magma cools and where it cools determines crystal size

near surface

small crystals

deep underground

large crystals

True or False? the quicker it cools, the smaller the crystals

true

true or false? crystals need heat and time (deep inside the earth) to grow

true

precipitation/evaporation

mineral formation

changes in heat or pressure

ex: talc and muscovite

formation from hydrothermal solutions

ex: chalcopyrite

what are the mineral families?

silicates, carbonates, oxides, sulfates/sulfides, native elements

silicates

contains silicon and oxygen, used for jewelry and computers, ex: feldspar and quartz

carbonates

contains carbonate compound CO3, used for glass, paper, and detergents, ex: calcite and dolomite

oxides

contains oxygen and metal, used for pigments and colored bricks, ex: hematite, corundum, and magnetite

sulfates/sulfides

contains sulfur bond to other elements, used for manufacturing of glass and paper, preserve wood; ex: gypsum and galena

native elements

contains one element and exist in pure form, used for electrical, plumbing and jewelry; ex: gold and copper

ore

a metal bearing mineral or rock or native metal that can be mined for a profit

gemstone

a cut and polished stone fine enough for use in jewelry ex: diamonds and corundum (ruby, emerald, and sapphire

what are the physical properties of identifying a mineral?

color, hardness, luster, streak, crystal form, fracture/cleavage, specific gravity, and special

what tests do you perform to identify a mineral?

color, hardness, luster, streak, crystal form, cleavage/fracture, specific gravity, special properties

color

least reliable test, many look the same

impurities can change color

hardness

classified weather they can scratch each other

most reliable test

Mohs Hardness Scale: scale goes from 1-10 (1 softest and 10 hardest)

luster

how a mineral reflects light

metallic-shines like gold, silver or copper

non-metallic- does not shine like gold silver or copper

streak

the color of powder left behind when a mineral is rubbed on unglazed porcelain tile

streak is not always the same color as mineral

crystal form

crystals are formed from the arrangement of atoms

cannot usually be seen with the naked eye

cleavage/fracture

how a mineral breaks

cleavage is when a mineral breaks evenly

fracture is when a mineral breaks unevenly

specific gravity

the density of a mineral compared to the density of water

very accurate test, but cannot be done in the field

what special properties are used to test?

acid test, smell, taste, magnetism, florescent

acid test

bubbles indicate it has calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in it; reacts to hydrochloric acid (HCI)

smell

sulfur smells like rotten eggs

taste

halite tastes like salt

magnetism

magnetite is magnetic

florescent

reacts to black light

resources

resources are limited and either renewable or nonrenewable. each has advantages and disadvantages

what are modern living standards supported by?

extensive use of both renewable and nonrenewable resources

what must be weighed against economic benefit?

extraction and use of any resources that carries environmental cost

renewable resources

can be replaced by nature at a rate close to the rate at which they are used

solar

advantages: generates electricity; requires little maintenance

disadvantages: no energy at night or when cloudy; expensive initial investment

vegetation

advantages: creates oxygen as a secondary byproduct; consumes CO2

disadvantages: clearing forest for farming causes erosion; takes up a lot of space

biomass

advantages: widely available; carbon neutral

disadvantages: risk of deforestation; needs lots of water; methane

wind

advantages: wind is free

disadvantages: good wind sites are usually far away from cities; wind is not constant

water

advantages: produces at a constant rate; can be turned on or off

disadvantages: dams are expensive to build; floods large areas upstream and destroy the natural environment

nonrenewable resources

they are replenished very slowly or not at all

fossil fuels

advantages: relatively cheap and easy to use once they are extracted; creates huge amounts of energy

disadvantages: pollution; greenhouse gases are made when burned

minerals

advantages: minerals are used by people everyday; brings jobs

disadvantages: noisy; damages environment (to minimize some companies will attempt to restore the landscape when finished)

nuclear energy

advantages: relatively cheap to make and transport; reliable energy production

disadvantages: uranium is extremely unstable due to radiation; leaks

virginia resources

major rock and mineral resources: coal for energy, gravel and crushed stone for road construction, silica for electronics, zirconium and titanium for advanced metallurgy, limestone for making concrete

true or false? virginia relies on fossil fuels for most of its energy but hydropower

true

how much of our energy comes from renewable resources?

1%