Introduction-to-Minerals.pdf

Introduction to Minerals Building blocks of rocks, the earth, and our bodies IG by Ian Gilliam Biblical Reference: Job 28:1-2 Job 28:1-2 Wisdom Surely there is a mine for silver, and Where is it found? How do you get a place for gold where they refine it. it? Wh...

Introduction to Minerals Building blocks of rocks, the earth, and our bodies IG by Ian Gilliam Biblical Reference: Job 28:1-2 Job 28:1-2 Wisdom Surely there is a mine for silver, and Where is it found? How do you get a place for gold where they refine it. it? What is its value? Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Minerals Minerals are part of God's creative design. Minerals are vital to the health of our planet. Minerals form rocks and precious gems. What is Mineralogy? The Science of Minerals God's Creations Minerals in Our World Study of minerals and their Minerals are a wonder to study We see minerals everywhere properties Composition of Minerals Elements Chemical Formula Minerals are made of Each mineral has a unique elements. chemical formula. Chemical Bonds Creation Elements bonded together Minerals form through in a specific way. various processes. Native Elements Gold Copper Diamonds Iron Valuable, shiny, and Used for wiring and Hardest known natural Strong, heavy, and useful. precious. electronics. substance. Halides 1 1. Salts 2 2. Fluorite Common table salt, sodium chloride Used in toothpaste and glass 3 3. Halite 4 4. Sylvite A naturally occurring salt A potassium chloride mineral Sulfides Galena Pyrite Chalcopyrite Cinnabar A common sulfide mineral Also known as "fool's gold" A copper-iron sulfide The main source of mercury Sulfates Common Minerals Chemical Composition Gypsum, Barite, and Contain sulfur and oxygen Anhydrite Formation Evaporation of water, hydrothermal activity Oxides Oxygen and Metals Important Minerals Oxides are formed from metals combining with oxygen Hematite, a reddish-brown oxide of iron, is found in the Earth's crust Iron oxide, also known as rust, is a common example Corundum, an oxide of aluminum, is used in jewelry and abrasive materials Carbonates Common Includes limestone, marble, and dolomite. Form When carbon dioxide dissolves in water. Important Building blocks of many ecosystems. Limestone is a common carbonate mineral that forms over millions of years. Phosphates Composition Contain phosphorus and oxygen. Common Examples Apatite, monazite, and turquoise. Important Uses Fertilizers, detergents, and toothpaste. Silicates Most Abundant Building Blocks Make up 90% of Earth's crust Silicon and Oxygen are the most common elements Variety of Minerals Found in rocks, clay, and sand Structure of Minerals Atomic Arrangement Crystalline Structure Atoms are organized in a Creates a unique form and specific pattern. shape. Ionic Bonding Covalent Bonding Ions are attracted to each Atoms share electrons. other. Metallic Bonding Electrons are free to move. Crystals Solid forms with a geometric shape. Minerals are made of crystals. Crystals grow in a predictable way. Their growth reflects God's order and beauty. Faces of Crystals Hexagonal Faces Cubic Faces Octahedral Faces Rhombohedral Faces Common in quartz crystals Seen in halite and pyrite Found in diamonds and Present in calcite and fluorite dolomite Mexico's Cave of Crystals Giant selenite crystals, some up to 36 feet long Found in Naica mine, Chihuahua, Mexico Cave was discovered in 2000, when miners were digging a new tunnel The crystals are incredibly beautiful, but also dangerous to explore Diamond vs Graphite Structure Both diamond and graphite are made of carbon. Different arrangements of carbon atoms determine the properties of the two. Identifying Minerals Hardness 1 Diamond is the hardest mineral Streak 2 Color of the mineral's powder Luster 3 How light reflects off a surface Color 4 Surface color can vary Minerals can be identified by their unique properties. Surface Color Apparent Color External Factors Surface color is what you Can be influenced by see. impurities. Mineral Composition Not Always Reliable Color is not a reliable way to Minerals can be very similar identify a mineral. in color. Streak Color Streak Color How To Powder color of a mineral. Rub mineral across unglazed tile. Can be helpful in identifying a mineral. Color of the streak will be revealed. Luster How Light Reflects Metallic Luster Non-Metallic Luster The way light reflects off the Shiny like a metal Not shiny, but reflecting light surface of a mineral 1. Metallic 2. Non-Metallic Hardness Resistance to Scratching Relative Hardness Mohs Scale A mineral's ability to resist scratching Measured by comparing one mineral A standard for measuring hardness to another Mohs Scale of Hardness Hardness is how easily a mineral can be scratched. The Mohs scale measures the hardness of a mineral. Talc Gypsum Calcite Fluorite Apatite Orthoclase Quartz Topaz Corundum Diamond 0 4 8 12 Diamond is the hardest mineral. It can only be scratched by another diamond. Crystal Classification Crystal Systems Six basic shapes Precious Stones Rare and beautiful minerals Lattice Structure Repeating patterns of atoms Cleavage and Fracture 1 2 3 Cleavage Fracture Obsidian The tendency of a mineral to The tendency of a mineral to A glassy volcanic rock that shows break along smooth, flat surfaces. break along irregular surfaces. conchoidal fracture. Cleavage Natural Planes Atomic Structure Minerals break along specific Reflects the arrangement of planes atoms Distinct Breaks Identifying Minerals Forms smooth, flat surfaces A helpful characteristic to observe Obsidian Obsidian is a volcanic glass. Formed from rapidly cooled lava. It's known as a mineraloid. Unique, dark color. Specific Gravity 1 1 2 2 Ratio of mineral's density Water has specific gravity to density of water of 1 3 3 4 4 Mineral's density higher Specific gravity important than water has specific tool to identify minerals gravity higher than 1 Acid Test Acid Test Some minerals react with acid Calcium Carbonate Like calcite, which fizzes Dilute Acid Used to identify minerals Special Properties Fluorescent Phosphorescent Minerals glow under UV light Minerals glow after UV exposure Fluorescent Glows Under UV Fluorite Minerals absorb UV light Common fluorescent mineral Emit visible light Wide range of colors Phosphorescent Glow in the Dark Absorbs Energy Continues to emit light after Materials like certain exposure to UV radiation minerals absorb UV light and store energy Releasing Energy Natural Phenomenon Releases stored energy as Certain rocks and minerals visible light in the absence can be phosphorescent of UV Largest Group of Minerals Silicates Variety of Silicates Most common mineral group Found in different forms Earth's Crust Creation Majority of rocks are silicates Shows God's intricate design Hardest Known Substance Diamond A crystalline form of carbon Extremely hard and resistant to scratching Used in jewelry and industrial applications Represents strength, clarity, and resilience Seven Characteristics of Minerals 1 1. Color 2 2. Streak 3 3. Luster Surface color of a mineral Color of the mineral in How light reflects off the powdered form surface 4 4. Hardness 5 5. Cleavage 6 6. Fracture Resistance to scratching Tendency to break along Breakage along irregular smooth surfaces surfaces 7 7. Specific Gravity Density of a mineral relative to water Conclusion Minerals are important and common. God created them to provide for His creation.