Atoms, Elements, and Minerals Building Blocks of the Earth

Mineral

\-A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid that has a specific chemical composition.

\-Consistent and recognizable physical and chemical properties.

Atoms

The smallest, electrically neutral assemblies of energy and matter.

• Central Nucleus:

• Protons (+ charged).

• Neutrons (0 net charge).

• Surrounding Cloud:

• Electrons (− charged).

Element

Defined by its atomic number which is the number of protons in its nucleus.

Isotopes

atoms of an element with different numbers of neutrons, but the same number of protons.

Stable isotope

A type of isotope that retain all their protons and neutrons through time.

Unstable or radioactive isotopes

A type of isotope that spontaneously lose proton(s) and/or neutron(s) from their nuclei over time.

Ions

atoms or groups of atoms with unequal numbers of protons and electrons, thus having a nonzero charge

Bonding

controlled by outermost shell (valence) electrons

Ionic bonding

A type of bonding that involves the transfer of valence electrons from one atom to another.

Covalent bonding

A type of bonding that involves sharing of valence electrons among adjacent atoms

Metallic bonding

A type of bonding that electrons flow freely throughout metals; results in high electrical conductivity

Opposite charges

What allow the ions to be “glued” in place as their charges are neutralized

Silicate

What minerals are a very important group of minerals formed from the two most common elements in the crust – silicon and oxygen.

• Isolated Silicate Structure.

• Chain Silicates.

• Sheet Silicates.

• Framework Silicates

Basic structure for silicate minerals:

none shared

How many atoms shared in a Isolated tetrahedra

2 shared

How many atoms shared in a Chain silicates

alternating 2 and 3 shared

How many atoms shared in a Double–chain silicates

3 shared

How many atoms shared in a Sheet silicates

4 shared

How many atoms shared in a Framework silicates

Specific gravity

density relative to that of water.

Precipitates

what is the condition of the minerals that form from a crystallizing liquid such as silicates and carbonates.

Biological Activity

what is the condition of the mineral formed from the actions of living organisms such as coral reefs.

Sublimation

what is the condition of the minerals that form as gases from volcanic vents crystallize into solids such as sulfur