Geology Chapter 4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the five characteristics of a mineral?

Must occur naturally in Earth's crust. 2. Mineral must be organic. 3. Minerals are always solid. 4. Mineral has a unique chemical composition. 5. Minerals are arranged in a definite pattern.

What does 'natural' mean in the context of minerals?

Cannot be a manufactured or manmade item.

What does 'organic' refer to when discussing minerals?

Materials that were never living things.

Solids can be liquids or gases.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique chemical composition in minerals?

Minerals may be made up of a single element, compounds, or combinations of two or more elements. Signup and view all the answers

What does crystal mean in mineralogy?

Definite pattern. Signup and view all the answers

How do minerals form from solution?

Often dissolved in water. When the liquid becomes full of dissolved substances, it becomes saturated. If more solution is added, it becomes supersaturated. Under the right conditions, individual atoms bond and precipitate, turning solids from the solution. Signup and view all the answers

What are silicates?

Oxygen and silicone. Signup and view all the answers

What are carbonates?

Minerals with CO3. Signup and view all the answers

What are oxides?

Anything with oxygen and a metal. Signup and view all the answers

What are sulfides?

Sulfur and one or more elements. Signup and view all the answers

What are sulfates?

Anhydrite/gypsum. Signup and view all the answers

What are halides?

Chloride or fluoride along with calcium, sodium, or potassium. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is used for classifying minerals into individual groups?

Chemical composition. Signup and view all the answers

Which property causes the mineral galena to break into tiny cubes?

Crystal structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mineral group?

A method geologists use to classify minerals into a group. Each group has a distinct mineral or a specific characteristic. Signup and view all the answers

Mineral group that ankerite belongs to?

Carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ore?

A mineral that contains a valuable substance that can be mined at a profit. Signup and view all the answers

What is cleavage in mineralogy?

Breaking of a mineral along a smooth definite surface. Signup and view all the answers

How do minerals form from magma?

Magma rises upward into cooler layers of Earth's interior, where it cools and crystallizes. The rate at which it cools determines the size of the crystals. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristics of Minerals

Naturally occurring in Earth's crust, cannot be manmade.
Must be inorganic, derived from non-living materials.
Always solid; never in liquid or gas form.
Possess a unique chemical composition, made of single elements or multiple compounds.
Atoms arrange in a definite crystalline pattern.

Formation of Minerals

Minerals can crystallize from solutions through evaporation or saturation.
Saturated solutions occur when dissolved substances reach maximum capacity.
Supersaturation leads to mineral formation as individual atoms bond and precipitate.
Evaporites form when dissolved minerals crystallize as water evaporates.

Types of Minerals

Silicates: Composed of silicon and oxygen.
Carbonates: Contain the carbonate ion (CO3).
Oxides: Formed from oxygen and metals.
Sulfides: Contain sulfur combined with one or more elements.
Sulfates: Include minerals like anhydrite and gypsum.
Halides: Composed of chlorine or fluorine, and alkali metals like calcium, sodium, or potassium.

Mineral Classification

Minerals categorized based on chemical composition which is critical for identifying mineral groups.
Crystal structure determines how minerals break; for example, galena cleaves into cubes.

Geologist's Classification System

Minerals grouped by distinct characteristics, aiding in identification and study.
Each group has unique properties that define its members.

Economic Value of Minerals

Ores are minerals containing valuable substances that can be profitably mined.

Mineral Cleavage and Structure

Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along smooth, flat surfaces, reflecting its internal structure.
Crystal structure is important in understanding the physical properties of minerals, including their formation from magma.

Origin of Minerals

Minerals can form from magma cooling within Earth's crust; the cooling rate affects crystal size.

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Test your knowledge on the characteristics of minerals with these flashcards! This quiz covers key concepts, including the definition of minerals and their essential properties. Perfect for mastering the fundamentals of geology.