Questions and Answers
What are the two main groups that minerals are classified into?
How are minerals classified?
They are classified into groups based on their composition.
Which of these two groups is more common?
What are silicate minerals?
Signup and view all the answers
Give an example of a silicate mineral.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the six non-silicate mineral groups?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a Native Element?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a Carbonate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a Halide?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of an Oxide?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a Sulfate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a Sulfide?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the criteria that must be met for an object to be considered a mineral?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Crystal Structure?
Signup and view all the answers
What non-silicate mineral group reacts with acid?
Signup and view all the answers
What is luster?
Signup and view all the answers
What is streak?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is looking at a mineral's color not the best way to identify a mineral?
Signup and view all the answers
What is fluorescence?
Signup and view all the answers
What is phosphorescence?
Signup and view all the answers
What is double refraction?
Signup and view all the answers
Name a mineral that possesses the ability to double refract.
Signup and view all the answers
Name a mineral that is magnetic.
Signup and view all the answers
What is Moh's Hardness Scale?
Signup and view all the answers
How can you tell Halite and Calcite apart?
Signup and view all the answers
How can you tell Fluorite and Quartz apart?
Signup and view all the answers
What makes a gemstone different from other minerals?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a carat?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two types of mining?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of mining is more expensive and more dangerous?
Signup and view all the answers
What is reclamation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is diamond used for?
Signup and view all the answers
What is graphite used for?
Signup and view all the answers
What is gypsum used for?
Signup and view all the answers
What is halite used for?
Signup and view all the answers
What is gold used for?
Signup and view all the answers
Native Elements are composed of?
Signup and view all the answers
Carbonates contain combinations of?
Signup and view all the answers
Halides form when?
Signup and view all the answers
Oxides form when?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Mineral Classification
- Minerals are classified into two primary groups: Silicates and Non-Silicates.
- Classification is based on mineral composition.
Silicate Minerals
- Silicate minerals contain both silicon and oxygen; they are the more common group.
- Examples include Quartz and Feldspar.
Non-Silicate Mineral Groups
- Six groups of non-silicate minerals: Native Elements, Carbonates, Halides, Oxides, Sulfates, and Sulfides.
- Example of Native Element: Gold.
- Example of Carbonate: Calcite.
- Example of Halide: Halite/Fluorite.
- Example of Oxide: Magnetite.
- Example of Sulfate: Gypsum.
- Example of Sulfide: Pyrite.
Mineral Criteria
- To qualify as a mineral, a substance must be: naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, have a set chemical composition, and exhibit a crystal structure.
Crystal Structure
- Defined by the repeated arrangement of atoms.
Reactivity and Identification
- Carbonates are the non-silicate group that reacts with acid.
- Luster refers to how light reflects from a mineral's surface.
- Streak is the color of a mineral in powdered form; not always reliable for identification due to color variation.
Luminescence Properties
- Fluorescence is the ability of a mineral to glow differently under ultraviolet light.
- Phosphorescence allows minerals to glow after ultraviolet light is removed.
Refraction and Magnetism
- Double refraction involves bending light to produce a double image.
- Calcite is a mineral that demonstrates double refraction.
- Magnetite is a naturally magnetic mineral.
Moh's Hardness Scale
- Ranges from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), used to assess the hardness of minerals.
Distinguishing Minerals
- Calcite can be distinguished from Halite as it reacts with acid, while Halite tastes like salt.
- Quartz is harder than Fluorite; this is a distinguishing factor.
Gemstones
- Gemstones are rare, beautiful minerals that are valued for their aesthetics and durability.
- The weight of precious minerals is measured in carats; one carat is roughly equivalent to the weight of a carob bean.
Mining Types
- Two types of mining: Surface and Underground.
- Underground mining is typically more expensive and dangerous.
Reclamation
- Refers to the process of restoring mined land to its original condition.
Mineral Uses
- Diamonds are utilized in jewelry and tools.
- Graphite is commonly used in pencils and steel-making.
- Gypsum is used in wallboard production.
- Halite serves as salt for food seasoning/preservation and in chemical production.
- Gold is valuable for jewelry, coins, dentistry, and electronics.
Composition of Mineral Groups
- Native Elements consist of a single element.
- Carbonates are characterized by combinations of carbon and oxygen.
- Halides form when elements like fluorine, chlorine, iodine, or bromine combine with metals like sodium, potassium, or calcium.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on minerals and their classifications with these flashcards. Learn the differences between silicates and non-silicates, and how minerals are grouped based on their composition. Perfect for anyone interested in geology or earth sciences.