Minerals Flashcards
A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid that has a specific chemical composition.
Mineral
A very common mineral in the earth’s crust, is made up of the elements potassium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen.
Potassium feldspar
Defined as naturally formed aggregates of minerals or mineral-like substances.
Rock
Amallest, electrically neutral assemblies of energy and matter that we know exist in the universe.
Atoms
Contains positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons. Surrounding the nucleus is a cloud of negatively charged electrons. Protons and neutrons are very dense particles with almost identical masses.
Nucleus
How many electrons are there in the first Energy level or shell?
Two (2)
How many electrons are there in the second Energy level or shell?
Eight (8)
How many electrons are there in the third Energy level or shell?
Eight (8)
Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Atomic number
A group of same kind of atoms.
Element
It is the most common type of bonding in minerals. It is also where the electrons are transferred
Ionic Bonding
An atom that has a surplus or deficit of electrons relative to the number of protons in its nucleus and therefore a positive or negative electrical charge.
Ion
It is the positively charged ion that has fewer electrons than protons.
Cation
It is the negatively charged ion that has more electrons than protons.
Anion
Some atoms share electrons rather than transferring them, creating a strong bond.
Covalent Bonding
Hardest natural substance on earth.
Diamond
Closely packed atoms share electrons in higher energy-level shells among several atoms. The atoms are closely packed and the electrons move freely throughout the crystal so as to hold the atoms together.
Metallic Bonding
A weak secondary attraction between certain molecules formed by transferring electrons. Much weaker than ionic, covalent, or metallic bonding.
Van der Waals Bonding
They have different crystal structures though having the same composition.
Polymorphs
Atoms in most solids are organized in regular, and geometric patterns
Crystal Structure
It is the largest mineral group.
Silicate minerals
Oxygen combined with silicon
Silica
The four-sided, pyramidal, geometric shape called a tetrahedron is used to represent the 4 oxygen atoms surrounding a silicon atom.
Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron
Silicate minerals that are structured so that none of the oxygen atoms are shared by tetrahedra. Example of this is Olivine.
Isolated Silicate Structure / Single Tetrahedra
When two of a tetrahedron’s oxygen atoms are shared with adjacent tetrahedra to form a chain.
Single - Chain Silicates
Two adjacent single chains that are sharing oxygen atoms. An example of this is amphibole group.
Double - Chain Silicates
Hornblende
Double - Chain Silicates
Each tetrahedron shares three oxygen atoms to form a sheet.
Sheet Silicates
The mica group and clay group.
Sheet silicates
Perfect basal cleavage, which means that they are easily split into thin, often transparent sheets.
Mica Group
An important sub-group of the sheet silicates.
Clay minerals
Decomposition of feldspar (e.g. granite). It is the principal components of china clay.
Kaolinite
Alteration of basic igneous rocks containing silicates rich in Calcium and Magnesium. Can swell significantly by the adsorption of water.
Montmorillonite / Smectite
When all four oxygen ions are shared by adjacent tetrahedra.
Framework silicate
Feldspar and Quartz
Framework Silicates
Minerals that do not contain silica, are nevertheless important
Non-silicate minerals
Some geologists consider calcite to be a “ubiquitous mineral” - one that is found everywhere.
Carbonates Group
Apatite. Common mineral in many varieties of igneous and sedimentary rocks. The main source of the phosphorus required by plants.
Phosphates Group
Contains sulfate anion.
Sulfates Group
Source for Metals. These are the Sulfides and Oxides.
Ore Mineral Group
