Engineering Geology Department Chapter Two: Minerals

Mineral Characteristics

• Organic compounds are NOT a characteristic of a mineral.
• Mineral characteristics do not include living organisms or their remains.

Bonding Types

• Ionic bonding involves electron transfer.
• Metallic bonding involves the free movement of electrons.

Compounds

• Water (H₂O) is an example of a compound.

Mineral Formation

• 'Naturally' in the context of minerals means that they form without human intervention.

Elements

• The smallest amount of an element is called an atom.

Mineral Properties

• Hardness in minerals refers to the resistance ability to abrasion (scratching).
• The way a mineral breaks along curved surfaces without a definite shape is called conchoidal fracture.
• Specific gravity of minerals is defined as the ratio of the weight of a given mineral to the weight of an equal volume of water.
• The shine or luster of a mineral that resembles the shine of pure silk is called silky luster.
• The color of a mineral in powdered form is called streak.
• The mineral identification property that involves the reflection of light or shine is luster.
• The hardness of minerals is compared on the Mohs hardness scale.