Mineral Families Flashcards
1
Q
Scientists need to organize things into groups and ______ so we can study them more easily
A
families
2
Q
Minerals are grouped into families based on…
A
chemical composition - what atoms and molecules they are made of
3
Q
The four largest families, in order of size are..
A
- silicates
- oxides
- Carbonates
- Sulfates
4
Q
Silicate minerals contain ______ and ______, the two most common elements in the Earth’s continental crust.
A
oxygen, silicon
5
Q
Four examples of Silicate minerals are…
A
- Olivine (( MgFe)2SiO4) - august birthstone
- Micas
- quartz SiO2
- Feldspar
6
Q
The second most abundant minerals family is…
A
Oxides
7
Q
What is the oxide ion?
A
oxygen
8
Q
The carbonate minerals contain the _______ ion
A
carbonate
9
Q
CO3 is the…
A
carbonate ion
10
Q
What is the sulfate ion?
A
SO4
11
Q
Sulfate minerals contain the _____ ion
A
sulfate
12
Q
_______ often act as cements in sedimentary rocks?
A
Carbonates
