Minerals and its properties

Mineral

It is a naturally-occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal structure.

What makes a mineral, a mineral?

naturally ocurring
Inorganic
Solid
Definite chemical composition
Ordered internal structure

Inorganic

Minerals are limited to substances formed through [blank] processes, and exclude materials derived from living organisms which involve organic processes.

Solid

All liquids and gases-even those that are naturally- formed such as petroleum—are not considered minerals.

Definite Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of minerals should express the exact chemical formula with the elements and compounds in specific ratios.

Ordered Internal Structure

The atoms in minerals are organized in a regular, repetitive geometric pattern or crystal structure.

Mineraloids

are mineral-like substances that does not possess all the criteria as a true mineral

examples include amber, obsidian, opal, and pearl.

What are the 7 mineral groups?

Silicates
carbonates
sulfates
halides
oxides
sulfides
Native elements

Silicates

minerals that contain silicon and oxygen, and usually one more element.

Carbonates

contains carbon with three oxygen atoms.

Sulfates

contains sulfur with four oxygen atoms.

Halides

compounds of certain elements and chlorine, fluorine, iodine, and bromine.

Oxides

compounds of elements and oxygen (usually rust-looking)

Sulfides

compounds of sulfur and elements.

Native Elements

elements found uncombined with other elements.

What are the six crystal systems?

triclinic
monoclinic
orthorhombic
tetragonal
hexagonal
isometric

James Dwight Dana

American geologist, mineralogist and zoologist.
He created the classification system that is still used today, known as Dana's System of Mineralogy.

Crystal Form and Habit

It can be described as granular, tabular, dendritic, acicular, reniform, drusy,
or encrusting.

Cleavage

The tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness is known as?

4 qualities of cleavage

excellent
good
poor
absent

Luster

The [blank] of a mineral describes the appearance of light as it is reflected off its surface.

Color

most obvious mineral property, it is not a reliable feature for identifying minerals
because it can be altered by chemical impurities within its structure.

The 3 identification for minerals [color]

a.) idiochromatic minerals
b.) allochromatic minerals
c.) pseudochromatic minerals

Streak

It is the color of a mineral in its powdered form. It can be obtained by rubbing the mineral on abrasive
ceramic tile called streak plate.

Hardness

measurement of the strength of the chemical bonds in its structure. It can be measured by scratching it with another mineral or a reference material with known hardness.

Mohs' Scale of Hardness

relative measure of hardness using common materials and standard minerals to represent a specific hardness value.

Density

Specific gravity is a measure of the [blank] of a mineral.

weight of a mineral relative to the weight of an equal volume of water.

Other Properties

Magnetism (magnetite)
Taste (halite is salty)
Effervescence or reaction to acid (calcite another carbonates will react with weak acid)
Feel (talc is greasy)
Solubility
Melting Point