Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic that defines a mineral?
Which of the following groups of minerals is the most common?
What is the term for the color of a mineral in powdered form?
Which of the following minerals is an example of a metamorphic mineral?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary use of non-metallic minerals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a method of mineral formation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the appearance of a mineral in reflected light?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following minerals reacts with acid?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Definition and Classification
- Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure.
- Classified into different groups based on their chemical composition and internal structure:
- Silicates (most common group, e.g., quartz, feldspar)
- Oxides (e.g., iron oxide, titanium oxide)
- Carbonates (e.g., calcite, dolomite)
- Sulfides (e.g., pyrite, galena)
- Phosphates (e.g., apatite)
- Native elements (e.g., copper, silver, gold)
Physical Properties
- Color: varies widely, can be affected by impurities and lighting conditions
- Luster: appearance of a mineral in reflected light, can be metallic, glassy, earthy, or pearly
- Streak: color of a mineral in powdered form, often different from its original color
- Hardness: resistance to scratching, measured on Mohs scale (1-10)
- Cleavage: tendency to break along flat surfaces, can be perfect, good, or poor
- Fracture: pattern of breaking when a mineral does not exhibit cleavage
Chemical Properties
- Chemical composition: unique combination of elements that defines a mineral
- Acid test: some minerals react with acid, e.g., calcite reacts with hydrochloric acid
- Magnetic properties: some minerals are magnetic, e.g., magnetite
Formation and Occurrence
- Magmatic minerals: formed from magma, e.g., olivine, pyroxene
- Metamorphic minerals: formed during mountain-building processes, e.g., quartz, garnet
- Sedimentary minerals: formed through weathering and erosion, e.g., halite, gypsum
- Hydrothermal minerals: formed through hot water circulation, e.g., quartz, sulfides
Economic Importance
- Metallic minerals: source of metals, e.g., iron, copper, gold
- Non-metallic minerals: used in industries, e.g., cement, glass, ceramics
- Gemstones: valued for their beauty and rarity, e.g., diamonds, rubies, emeralds
Definition and Classification
- Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure.
- Classified into groups based on chemical composition and internal structure, including:
- Silicates (most common, e.g., quartz, feldspar)
- Oxides (e.g., iron oxide, titanium oxide)
- Carbonates (e.g., calcite, dolomite)
- Sulfides (e.g., pyrite, galena)
- Phosphates (e.g., apatite)
- Native elements (e.g., copper, silver, gold)
Physical Properties
- Color: varies widely, affected by impurities and lighting conditions.
- Luster: appearance in reflected light, can be metallic, glassy, earthy, or pearly.
- Streak: color in powdered form, often different from original color.
- Hardness: resistance to scratching, measured on Mohs scale (1-10).
- Cleavage: tendency to break along flat surfaces, can be perfect, good, or poor.
- Fracture: pattern of breaking when no cleavage exists.
Chemical Properties
- Chemical composition: unique combination of elements defining a mineral.
- Acid test: some minerals react with acid (e.g., calcite reacts with hydrochloric acid).
- Magnetic properties: some minerals are magnetic (e.g., magnetite).
Formation and Occurrence
- Magmatic minerals: formed from magma (e.g., olivine, pyroxene).
- Metamorphic minerals: formed during mountain-building processes (e.g., quartz, garnet).
- Sedimentary minerals: formed through weathering and erosion (e.g., halite, gypsum).
- Hydrothermal minerals: formed through hot water circulation (e.g., quartz, sulfides).
Economic Importance
- Metallic minerals: source of metals (e.g., iron, copper, gold).
- Non-metallic minerals: used in industries (e.g., cement, glass, ceramics).
- Gemstones: valued for beauty and rarity (e.g., diamonds, rubies, emeralds).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Identify and classify minerals based on their chemical composition and internal structure. Learn about silicates, oxides, carbonates, sulfides, phosphates, and native elements.
