minerals

Minerals

  • Definition: Minerals are naturally occurring, solid substances with an orderly crystalline structure, definite chemical composition, and generally inorganic in nature.

Elements and Atoms

  • Elements: Basic building blocks of minerals; over 100 known.

  • Atoms: Smallest particles with neutrons (neutral), protons (positive), and electrons (negative).

  • Atomic Number: Number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

  • Isotopes: Variants of elements with same protons but different neutron numbers, leading to different mass numbers.

Chemical Bonds

  • Compounds: Formed by chemical combinations of elements with specific proportions.

  • Ionic Bonds: Form between positive and negative ions.

  • Covalent Bonds: Form when atoms share electrons.

  • Metallic Bonds: Involve shared electrons among metal ions.

Mineral Formation

  • Processes:

    • Crystallization from magma

    • Precipitation

    • Pressure and temperature

    • Hydrothermal solutions

Mineral Groups

  1. Silicates: Contain silicon-oxygen tetrahedron.

  2. Carbonates: Contain carbon and oxygen, often with metals.

  3. Oxides: Contain oxygen and one or more metals.

  4. Sulfates and Sulfides: Contain sulfur.

  5. Halides: Contain halogen ions.

  6. Native Elements: Exist in pure forms.

Properties of Minerals

  • Color: Small amount of different elements can alter mineral color.

  • Streak: Color of a mineral in powdered form.

  • Luster: Reflection of light from mineral surface.

  • Hardness: Resistance to scratching; measured on Mohs scale (10=diamond, 1=talc).

  • Cleavage: Tendency to break along flat surfaces.

  • Fracture: Uneven breakage when no cleavage is present.

  • Density: Ratio of mass to volume.

  • Distinctive Properties: Certain minerals can be recognized by unique characteristics.

  • Minerals: Naturally occurring solids with definite structure and composition.

  • Elements: Basic mineral building blocks; over 100 known.

  • Atoms: Smallest particles (neutrons, protons, electrons).

  • Atomic Number: Protons count in the nucleus.

  • Isotopes: Same protons, different neutrons/mass.

  • Compounds: Chemical combinations of elements.

  • Bonds:

    • Ionic: Between positive and negative ions.

    • Covalent: Sharing electrons.

    • Metallic: Shared among metal ions.

  • Formation: Crystallization, precipitation, pressure/temperature, hydrothermal solutions.

  • Groups:

    1. Silicates: Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron.

    2. Carbonates: Carbon and oxygen, often with metals.

    3. Oxides: Oxygen plus one or more metals.

    4. Sulfates/Sulfides: Contain sulfur.

    5. Halides: Halogen ions.

    6. Native Elements: Pure forms.

  • Properties:

    • Color: Affected by elements.

    • Streak: Color in powdered form.

    • Luster: Light reflection.

    • Hardness: Resistance on Mohs scale (1-10).

    • Cleavage: Break along planes.

    • Fracture: Random breakage.