Minerals Flashcards
What does a mineral need to have
Naturally occurring, inorganic, Crystalline solid, specific chemical composition, constant and recognizable physical properties.
Ways a mineral forms
cooling magma
Hot water solution/hydrothermal deposits
chemical presses ex: chemical weathering
Biological activity
dissolved in sea water
What type of cleavage does Muscovite have
One direction
thin sheets
What type of cleavage does Halite have
3 directions
cubic right angles
Calcites cleavage
3 directions
Rhombus
not right angles
What are the special properties
Reaction to Hcl
Magnetism
Double refraction
taste
smell
striations
What is earths most common element
Oxygen
What’s the most common mineral group
Silicates
What are all the mineral groups
Silicates
- Fero-magnesium silicates
- Non-fero silicates
Carbonates
Sulfates
Sulfides
Oxides
Halides
What are the 2 silicates and there differences
Fero-magnesium silicates- Contain Iron or Magnesium that is combined with other elements ( dense, dark color)
Non-Feromagnesium silicates- Lack Iron and Magnesium (light colored)
Silicates
Made of silica tetrahedron
Carbonates and example
All have Co3 ex: calcite
Oxides and example
Contains oxygen that is not bonded to Si, C, or S
ex: Hematite, Magnetite
Sulfides
Contains S not with O ex: pyrite
Sulfates
contains So4 ex: gypsum
Halide
Salts that contain a halogen atom Ex: Halite, Fluorite
Native elements
made of only 1 element
diamond
sulfur
copper
graphite
What determines the physical properties of a mineral
Crystalline structure, Chemical composition
Radioactive isotopes
atoms that contain an unstable combination of neutrons and protons, or excess energy in their nucleus.
helps geologists tell the age of a mineral
