Minerals

Mineral

A naturally occurring inorganic crystalline solid found in the earth’s crust.

Ore Mineral

A deposit of minerals in the crust which can be mined out and sold for a profit.

Specific Gravity

weight in air

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(weight in air-weight in water)

Luster

Metallic or non- metallic

Streak

The color of a mineral in its powered form.

Hardness

A measure of the resistance of a mineral to being scratched.

Cleavage

The tendency of a mineral to cleave, or break, along flat, even surfaces.

Fracture

The uneven breakage of a mineral.

Element

Made of a unique atom combination

Flame test

The color of a heated mineral tells you what is in it.

How minerals are used by people.

• All of our metals

• Building materials

• Sand / Gravel / Concrete

• Materials for our body

• Iron in blood

• Calcium in bones

• The Earth and rocks are made of minerals.

10 Hardness minerals

1. Talc

2. Gypsum

3. Calcite

4. Fluorite

5. Apatite

6. Feldspar

7. Quartz

8. Topaz

9. Corundum

10. Diamond

Hardness of glass

5.5

Hardness of a fingernail

2.5

Talc

Gypsum

Calcite

Fluorite

Apatite

Feldspar

Quartz

Topaz

Corundum

Diamond