Minerals Flashcards
Mineral
A naturally occuring solid
Element
A substance that can no longer be broken down into simpler substances
Molecule
2 or more of the same element (e.g, h20)
Compound
A substance created by 2 or more different elements
Covalent bond
When 2 or more atoms share electron pairs to form a stable outer shell
Ionic bonds
The transfer of electrons from one atom to another resulting in oppositely charged ions
Native minerals
Minerals of a single element (e.g, gold)
Crystal
A mineral where its atoms are arranged in a grid pattern, and has flat surfaces
Habit of a mineral
A mineral that comes in different shapes
Euhedral crystals
Crystals which form in open, non-competitive spaces
Anhedral crystals
Crystals which grow in competitive and confined spaces
How does the solidification of molten rock (rocks that have been heated to high temperatures) form minerals
As magma cools down, chemical reactions occur to form minerals
Precipitation
When a solution forms into a solid
Solid state diffusion
The transport of atoms from one point to another point in a solid
Biomineralization
The formation of minerals from living organisms
Cation vs Anion
Cation is a positively charged ion (atoms which have loss electrons)
Anion is a negatively charged ion (atoms which have gained electrons)
Oxides
Metal cations (positively charged ions) bonded with oxygen
Sulfides
Metal cations (positively charged ions) bonded with sulfide anions
Silicates
The second most abundant element on the earth. Their structure is a silicion-oxygen tetrahedron
Isolated tetrahedral
Tetrahedra that doesnt share oxygen
Single chain silicate
2 of the 3 oxygens in a silicate chain are bonded
Double chain silicate
Where both silicate chains are linked by 2 or 3 oxygens
Sheet silicate
When all 3 bottom oxygens are shared except for the top oxygen
Framework silicate
Where all oxygens in a silicate tetrahedra are shared
