Minerals Flashcards

1
Q

Minerals

A

Naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solids with a definite range in chemical composition and physical properties.

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2
Q

Minerals Facts

A
  • There are between 2,000 - 3,000 in the Earth’s crust.
  • A few are “native elements” – made of only one element, such as sulfur, gold. copper, and graphite (carbon).
  • Most are compounds, especially the silicate group (Si, O).
  • Other important groups are oxides, carbonates, and sulfides.
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3
Q

What is a mineral composed of?

A

Minerals are composed of atoms of elements bonded together.
Minerals range in composition from pureelementsand simplesaltsto very complexsilicateswith thousands of known forms.

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4
Q

The 8 most common elements in earth crust(by mass) are:

A
  1. 6% Oxygen (O)
  2. 7% Silicon (Si)
  3. 1% Aluminum (Al)
  4. 0% Iron (Fe)
  5. 6% Calcium (Ca)
  6. 8% Sodium (Na)
  7. 6% Potassium (K)
  8. 1% Magnesium (Mg)
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5
Q

Atoms are composed of subatomic particles?

A

Protons
Neutrons
Electrons

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6
Q

Where are Protons and Neutrons located?

A

Nucleus

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7
Q

Where are electrons located?

A

They are located around the nucleus in electronic clouds.

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8
Q

Protons

A

They are positively charged.

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9
Q

Neutrons

A

They are neutral charged.

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10
Q

Electrons

A

The are negatively charged.

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11
Q

1st shell of the atomic structure can hold?

A

2 electrons Max

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12
Q

2nd shell of the atomic structure can hold?

A

8 electrons Max

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13
Q

3rd shell of the atomic structure can hold?

A

8 electrons Max

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14
Q

4th shell of the atomic structure can hold?

A

14 electrons Max

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15
Q

Why do Atoms of Elements form Compounds?

A

Chemical bondsare formed betweenatomsbecauseelectronsfrom the atoms interact with each other. Elementsare most stable when their outer electron shells are complete. Atoms bond with other atoms to complete their outer electron shells.
We now know that there are two main types of chemical bonding; ionic bonding and covalent bonding.

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16
Q

IONIC BONDING

A

In ionic bonding a metal gives an electron to an atom which needs extra electrons. This causes both atoms to be charged (IONS). One has a positive charge (it has more protons than electrons) and the other a negative charge. This causes an attraction between the atoms. Materials bonded this way are usually brittle with poor electrical conductivity.

17
Q

COVALENT BONDING

A

Covalent bonding occurs in ceramics, glass, wood and other organic materials. When atoms bond using covalent bonding the atoms share electrons in their outer shell creating full shells for both.
Covalent bonds give a very strong bond. Diamond is a good example of a strong covalent bond and has a high melting point and is very hard.

18
Q

DIAMOND and GRAPHITE

A

They are identical chemically—both are composed of carbon (C), but physically, they are very different. Minerals which have the same chemistry but different crystal structures are called polymorphs.
Graphite is opaque and metallic- to earthy-looking, while diamonds are transparent and brilliant.
Graphite is very soft and has a hardness of 1 to 2 on Mohs scale. Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance and have a hardness of 10. No other naturally occurring substance has a hardness of 10.

19
Q

What is the reason their is a difference in hardness and other physical properties?

A

In graphite, the individual carbon atoms link up to form sheets of carbon atoms which are held together by Van der Waal forces.
In diamonds, each carbon atom is strongly bonded to four adjacent carbon atoms located at the apices of a tetrahedron (a three-sided pyramid).

20
Q

Van der Vaals Bond

A

Van der Vaals bonds are formed from an electrostatic charge in adjacent atoms. It is present between long-chained molecules in polymers bonding the chains together. When stretched the bonds break easily causing the material to deform.

21
Q

Mineral Properties

A
Color 
Luster 
Habit(Shape)
Cleavage & Fracture 
Streak
Hardness
Special properties( reaction to acid, fluorescence, salty taste, magnetism)
22
Q

Color

A

results from ability to absorb some wavelengths and reflect others
some minerals have characteristics colors
others vary due to chemical differences or impurities (atoms mixed inside the main elements)

23
Q

Luster

A

Describes how light reflects off the surface
Main categories are “metallic” and “non-metallic”
Non-metallic includes “dull,” glassy,” waxy,” “pearly.”

24
Q

Mineral Habit (Shape)

A

Shape a mineral takes if grown unimpeded

External structure due to the internal arrangement of the atoms

25
Q

Cleavage & Fracture

A

Some minerals split along flat surfaces when struck hard–this is called mineral cleavage
Other minerals break unevenly along rough or curved surfaces–this is called fracture

26
Q

Cleavage & Fracture

A
Cubic 
Octahedral
Dodecahedral
Rhombohedral
Prismatic
Basal
27
Q

Streak

A

The powdered form of a mineral

28
Q

Other Properties

A
Specific gravity
Reaction to acid
Striations
Magnetism
Fluorescence