Earth Science

Minerals and Rock Resources

These are resources that provide for the needs of all organisms. They are available in different types and forms.  The geologic processes and natural systems of Earth ensure that these resources are replenished, whether within our lifetime or geologic time.

Earth’s materials

These are naturally occurring inorganic solid with crystalline structure, and chemical composition which may be fixed or vary within certain limits.

Minerals

Minerals are considered natural because they are formed by?

natural geological processes

These are building blocks of rocks.

Minerals

Minerals undergo different geological processes and become part of or develop into rocks, in which case they become known as?

rock-forming minerals

Not all rock-forming minerals contains various types and amounts of minerals that may be useful to man. If the minerals found in these rocks are enriched with one or more valuable or useful materials, they are referred to as?

mineral resources

Most of the mineral resources used as raw materials for buildings and other structure require the application of geological principles and they go through various processes before they can be used as materials. Some minerals do not need or require little processing such as?

gemstones

Most of the mineral resources used as raw materials for buildings and other structure require the application of ______ ________ and they go through various processes before they can be used as materials. Some minerals do not need or require little processing such as gemstones.

geological principles

Mineral resources can be divided into two groups. What are these groups?

metallic mineral resources and nonmetallic mineral resources

These are hard, ductile, malleable pure substance that are melted to obtain new products. These minerals possess a metallic luster, contain metals in their composition, and are potential source of the metal that can be obtained through mining. They are usually associated with igneous rocks.

metallic mineral resources

They do not have properties of the metallic minerals and thus can be easily disintegrated or broken into pieces. They are usually associated with sedimentary rocks.

nonmetallic mineral resources

Metallic mineral resources are hard, ductile, malleable pure substance that are melted to obtain new products. These minerals possess a _____ ______, _______ _____ ___ ______ __________, and are ________ ______ ____ ___ _____ that can be obtained through mining. They are usually associated with igneous rocks.

metallic luster, contain metals in their composition, potential source of the metal

Examples of metallic mineral resources are _____, ____, ____, ____, ____, _____, ______ and ________.

gold, iron, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, aluminum.

Metallic minerals may be further classified into: _______ and ______.

ferrous minerals and nonferrous minerals

Minerals that contain iron.

ferrous minerals

Minerals that do not contain iron.

nonferrous minerals

examples of ferrous minerals (3)

iron ore, manganese, and chromite

examples of nonferrous minerals (4)

gold, silver, copper and lead.

examples of nonmetallic mineral resources (3)

coal, clay, and salt

enumerate the 7 chemical properties of minerals

1. chemical composition

2. atomic structure and bonding

3. reactivity with acids

4. solubility

5. radioactivity

6. pH sensitivity

7. magnetism and electrical conductivity

To classify a mineral resource, the minerals in rock should first be identified. Minerals can be identified through their physical properties. In some cases, same minerals may be found in different places and in different forms but their fundamental physical properties remain the same.

physical properties of minerals

enumerate the 11 physical properties of minerals

1. color

2. streak

3. hardness

4. cleavage and fracture

5. crystalline structure / crystal lattice

6. transparency or diaphaneity

7. magnetism

8. tenacity

9. luster

10. odor

11. specific gravity

It is the most evident characteristic and is usually the first property used to identify minerals. It is a result of the way minerals absorb light.

color

Color may not be used in identifying translucent to transparent minerals due to the presence of other ________ _________ or _________. Therefore, color is considered the least reliable means of identifying minerals.

trace minerals or impurities

It is the color of the mineral in powder form. Usually, the mineral is rubbed on _____ plate to determine its color. (A _____ plate may be an unglazed side of porcelain). In cases when the color of a mineral appears different because of trace particles inside it, scientists would pulverize it to get its true color. In this case, the color of the mineral becomes more
visible and clear. However, the disadvantage of pulverizing the mineral is tedious, making the mineral lose its integrity.

streak

This refers to the measure of the mineral’s resistance to scratching.

hardness

To quantify the hardness of a mineral, the ______ _____ is used. The harder the mineral, the less prone it is to scratches. Most minerals also react to certain chemicals. Thus, some minerals get corroded when exposed to certain chemicals.

Mohs scale

the Mohs scale of mineral hardness and its common objects

1. Talc - powder

2. Gypsum - fingernails

3. Calcite - tooth

4. Fluorite - iron nail

5. Apatite - window glass

6. Orthoclase feldspar - steel file

7. Quartz - porcelain

8. Topaz - hardened steel

9. Corundum - Sapphire and ruby

10. Diamond - none

________ and ______ are used to describe how minerals break into pieces. Minerals are crystalline structures, and breakage of minerals may take place in weak parts of the structure. The planes of weak bonding or the breakage along the crystalline structure where a mineral is likely to break smoothly is known as _______.

Cleavage and fracture

1. muscovite

2. feldspar

3. halite

4. calcite