Minerals

Question 1

What is a mineral?

Answer 1

A mineral is a substance that is:
- a solid
- non-living
- has a definite chemical composition
- is naturally occurring
- has a crystalline structure

Is made of elements

Question 2

What is a chemical element?

Answer 2

pure chemical substance that cannot be broken down to other substances

Question 3

name the types chemical bonds?

Answer 3

Ionic
Covalent
Intermolecular
Metallic

Question 4

Describe ionic bonds

Answer 4

The TRANSFER of electrons to form a positive ion

Question 5

Describe covalent bonding

Answer 5

sharing of valence electrons
strongest bond

Question 6

Intermolecular bonding

Answer 6

very weak bonds
forces that hold atoms together within a molecule

Question 7

Metallic bonding

Answer 7

• bonding in pure metals
• electrons are constantly migrating among ions of the substance
• the migration of electrons give metals strong malleability + ductility
• weak bonds

Question 8

What is a Cation?

Answer 8

Ion with positive charge

Question 9

What is an Anion?

Answer 9

Ion with negative charge

Question 10

What are silicates?

Answer 10

Most important group of minerals in terms of abundance
shape: tetrahedron

Question 11

Name the 2 types of silicates

Answer 11

Ferromagnesium silicate: Fe, Mg , silica
Non-Ferromagnesium silicate: silica, No Fe or Mg

Question 12

How to determine a mineral?

Answer 12

Mineral properties:
- Colour
- Streak
- Crystal Habit
- Diaphaneity
- Lustre
- Non-metallic lustre: vitreous, pearly, greasy, earthy
- Hardness
- Cleavage

Question 13

What is cleavage?

Answer 13

Patterns of breakage of mineral
Broken surface of weak planes, shiny and flat
Types:
- Basal (1-dir)
- Prismatic (2-dir 90,60,120)
- Cubic (3-dir)
- Rhombohedral (3-dir not at 90)
- Octahedral (4-dir)