Chapter 3 - Atoms, Elements, Minerals, and Rocks Flashcards
Atom
Smallest individual particle retaining properties of an element.
Element
Fundamental substances into which matter can be broken down chemically.
Rock
Naturally formed,coherent mass of one or more minerals, sometimes including organic debris.
Atomic Number
Number of protons in nucleus
Mass Number
Total number of protons plus neutrons
Isotopes
Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers
Electrons
Negative Charge - Contribute very little mass - move around nucleus in complex 3-D patterns called orbitals
Energy Level Shells
Groupings of orbitals
Ion
Atom with excess positive or negative charge caused by electron transfer
Cation
Atom with excess positive charge caused by electron transfer
Anion
Atom with excess negative charge caused by electron transfer
Compounds
Atoms of two or more elements combined in a specific ratio - molecule = smallest unit
Mineral Characteristics
1) Naturally formed 2) inorganic 3) solid 4) specific chemical composition 5) characteristic crystal structure
Mineraloid
similar to a mineral except it lacks specific composition and/or characteristic crystal structure
Mineral
Naturally formed inorganic solid that has a specific chemical composition and a distinct crystal structure and composed of elements.
Nucleus
Made of Protons and Neutrons. It has very little volume but nearly all mass of the atom.
Bonding
Force that holds atoms together in a compound
Ionic Bonding
Electrostatic attraction between positive and negative charged particles
Covalent Bonding
Sharing of electrons by two adjacent atoms
Metallic Bonding
Closely packed atoms with electrons shared between several atoms
Van Der Waals
Weak secondary attraction between certain molecules
Complex Ions
Two or more ions that act as a single entity
Crystal Structure
Geometric patterns of atoms in a solid
Crystalline
Mineral has a crystal structure
Amorphous
Mineral lacks crystal structures
Ionic Substitutuion
ions with similar sizes and charges can substitute for each other
Mineral Group
Displays extensive ionic substitution without changing cation or anion ratio.
Crystal Form/Growth Habit
Geometric arrangement of crystal faces.
Polymorphs
Two or more minerals with same composition but different crystal structures.
Cleavage
Mineral’s tendency to break in preferred directions along planar surfaces.
Luster
Quality and intensity of light reflected from a mineral.
Color
Often striking but unreliable means of identification.
Streak
Thin layer of powdered mineral made by rubbing it on non-glazed porcelain
Hardness
Mineral’s relative resistance to scratching
Moh’s Hardness Scale
1) Talc - 2) Gypsum - 3)Calcite - 4) Fluorite - 5) Apatite - 6) Orthoclase (Feldspar) - 7) Quartz - 8) Topaz - 9) Corundum - 10) Diamond
Density
Mass divided by Unit Volume
Specific Gravity
Ratio of mass of substance to mass of equal volume of water
Silicates
Minerals that contain silicate anion (SiO4)4-. [Most abundant group]
Most Abundant Elements in Crust
O - Si - Al - Fe - Ca - Mg - Na - K - Ti - H - Mn - P
Silicate Tetrahedron
Four oxygen atoms (large) surrounding silicon atom (small). Oxygen atoms must bond with other cations and/or bond with two silicon atoms at one time
Polymerization
Process of linking silicate tetrahedra
Olivine Group
Isolated silicate tetrahedra - distinctive green color
Garnet Group
Isolated tetrahedra
Pyroxene Group
Single chains of tetrahedra (Augite most common)
Amphibole Group
Double Chains (Hornblende most common)
Micas (Clays, Chlorites, & Serpentines)
Sheets
Feldspar Group
K-feldspar & Plagioclase (60% of crust)
