Minerals And Philosophy Of Science Flashcards
Mineral
Natural occurring, inorganic, crystalline, solid, definite chemical formula
Synthetic minerals
Reproduced in laboratories
Difference between minerals and rocks
Rocks can be….
- an aggregate of a mineral
- composed of mineraloids
- composed of solid organic matter
Minerals are….. of rocks
Building blocks
Minerals are made of
atoms, they have a nucleus and an electron cloud
They have neutrons and protons
Periodic table
Elements arranged by atomic number
Atomic mass
Sum of protons and neutrons
Same element with different numbers of neutrons
Isotopes
Common bond types (5)
Covalent
Ionic
Metallic
Hydrogen
Van der Waals
When an atom has more or less electrons than protons
Ion
Negative charged ion, positive charged ion
Anion and cation
To identify minerals we need to see their
Properties
Optical properties
Color
Luster: how light reflects
Streak: color when powdered
Double refraction: (mineral calcite)
Shape properties
Crystal form: geometric shape
Polymorphs
Same chemicals form different minerals
Tenacity property
How easily a mineral can be broken or deformed
Other properties of minerals
Odor, taste, magnetism…
Classifying minerals: silicates
92% of earths crust
Non-silicates
8% of earths crust
Halides
Halite and fluorite
Oxides
Magnetite, limonite
Sulfides
Pyrite(fools gold) and galena
Sulfates
Gypsum
Carbonates
Calcite and Dolomites
Native elements
Gold, silver, graphite, diamond
Mineral uses
Gems and mining
