Rock Forming Minerals Flashcards
The Earth’s crust is rich in light elements (oxygen and silicon), which combine to make….
Silicate Minerals
What is the basic building block of all silicate minerals?
The Silicate Tetrahedron
Silicon likes to bond with 4 oxygen atoms. These oxygen corners can be shared if….
Pressure and Temperature allow it
What is an example of an isolated mineral?
Olivine
What are simple silicates?
Deep inside the Earth, tetrahedral stay ISOLATED or they share only 2 oxygens in RINGS or SIMPLE CHAINS
What kind of P and T do Simple Silicates have?
Very high P and T
Two more types of Simple Silicates and what shape are they
Beryl: Hexagonal ring (High T&P)
Pyroxene: single-chain (High T&P)
What are Complex Silicates?
As rock gets cooler, the tetrahedral can share more corners, forming DOUBLE BONDS (ladders) and SHEETS
What kind of P and T do more complex silicates have?
Double chains: Amphibole (moderate P&T)
Sheets: MICA (Low P&T)
What are Framework Silicates?
Tetrahedral that share all four of their corners make strong FRAMEWORKS and very durable minerals.
What kind of P and T do Framework Silicates have?
Feldspar: Wide range of P&T
Quartz: pure Silica, can form anywhere on earth
What are Native Elements and Carbonates?
Minerals made by single elements
ex: gold sulfur and GRAPHITE
Carbon, Oxygen, and other elements combine to make?
CARBONATE MINERALS
Calcite form?
Most seashells and ocean sediments
What are Sulfates and Halides?
Combinations of sulfur and oxygen with other elements create SULFATE MINERALS
