Minerals and Rocks Flashcards
- naturally occurring
- has a definite chemical composition
- a definite crystal structure
mineral
examples of graphite
carbon
pencil lead, batteries
examples of sulfur
nonmetalic, chemical
matches, fireworks
examples of talc
Powder, ceramics
examples of non minerals
cement, steel, man-made
not composed of organic matter/not from living things
inorganic
coal is from?
plants
amber is from?
tree sap
pearls are from?
oysters
have a definite volume and a definite shape
SOLIDS
Mercury is not a mineral because?
it is liquid at room temperature
combined with one or more metals
(largest group of minerals)
silicate minerals
extremely rare
(subdivided into several
other classes)
non-silicate minerals
elements found in nature in their mineral form
native elements
minerals that contain sulfur ions
sulfides
minerals which include the sulfate ion
sulfates
minerals that contain oxygen bonded with one or more metals
oxides
minerals containing (OH) are typically included in this class.
hydroxides
minerals with that contain Fluorine,
Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine ions.
Halides
minerals that contain a carbonate ion, CO2−3.
Carbonates
The internal structure or arrangement of atoms within a mineral
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE/Halite (NaCl)
Atoms/molecules are arranged in?
repeating geometric patterns
what are the six (6) BASIC CRYSTAL SYSTEMS?
- cubic
- tetragonal
- hexagonal
- orthorhombic
- monoclinic
- triclinic
minerals form when?
a) lava or magma cools to solidification
b) water evaporates and leaves minerals remain
c) water is supersaturated with a mineral; minerals will settle out of the water and deposit as a precipitate.
what are the six (6) Physical Properties?
- color
- streak
- luster
- hardness
- cleavage or fracture
- density
Specific and unique for each mineral
Chemical Properties
Determined by chemical composition and structure
IDENTIFYING MINERALS
Not a reliable property; some minerals can be many different colors
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Color may vary due to?
1) Natural coloring agents -impurities
2) Weathering; exposure to the environment
The color of the mineral in its powdered form
Streak
Determined by using a streak plate
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
The way a mineral shines/reflects light from its surface.
Luster
reflects light like the surface of a
polished metal
Metallic
reflects light in more subtle ways
Non Metallic
A measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched.
a) Determined by a
minerals internal structure.
b) When a mineral is scratched by a substance; it is softer than the substance
c) When a mineral scratches a substance; it is harder than the
substance
Hardness
When a mineral splits/breaks along smooth flat surfaces
(is the way a mineral breaks)
Cleavage
One direction; sheet
Mica
Three; cubic shape
Galena
is the way crystal grows
crystal shape
When a mineral breaks unevenly
into curved or irregular pieces with a rough and jagged surfaces.
Fracture