1.5 Building Blocks and Dating Flashcards
what materials are present in interstellar clouds shortly after supernovas
products of nucleosynthesis, silicate minerals, organic molecules
what is a mineral
molecules (two or more atoms held together by a chemical bond) that follows this definition
- a naturally occurring, inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form and physical properties
is halite (rock salt) a mineral
yes, it is naturally inorganic (forms via evaporation of sea water)
yes, it has an orderly internal structure (repeating pattern of atoms)
yes, it has a characteristic chemical composition (NaCl)
yes, it has a characteristic crystal form (forms cubic crystals)
yes it has physical properties (hardness and density)
what are the most common minerals
silicate minerals
what are silicate minerals
atom of silica, four oxygen surrounding (overall charge -4)
what is the most common mineral in the crust
feldspar
what is the most common mineral on earths surface
quartz
what are some non silicate minerals
calcite, halite, pyrite and hematite
what are some metals that are non silicate minerals
gold silver and copper
how do minerals form
1) random atoms
2) initial nucleation (combination of atoms)
3) additional molecules add in regular order
how do minerals form
1) molten rock (minerals form from cooling magma)
2) precipitation from aqueous solution
3) metamorphism
4) weathering
5) biological precipitation
how does speed of magma cooling effect size
rapid - small
slow - large
what is metamorphism
rock and minerals changing under increasing temperature and pressure, new minerals can form from elements within existing minerals
example of biological precipitation
shells, bones, teeth
what are rocks
aggregates of minerals
