rocks and minerals Flashcards
what are the 5 defining characteristics of a mineral
naturally occuring, inorganic, solid, orderly crystal structure, definite chemical composition
how many minerals are identified and how many are common
4000, 20
what are the 20 common minerals known as and where do they form
rock-farming, earths crust
what are minerals classified by
elements each mineral is made of
what are silicate minerals composed of
oxygen and silicon
what is the most abundant group of minerals that make up 90% of the earth’s crust
silicate minerals
what is the most abundant group of minerals that make up 90% of the earth’s crust
silicate
what group of minerals only make up 10% of the earth’s crust
non-silicate
what are the 6 classes of non-silicate minerals
carbonates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, native elements
what are the carbonate, oxide, sulfide groups composed of
carbonates - carbon, oxygen and a positive ion (calcium)
oxides - metallic ion & oxygen
sulfides - sulfur & a metal ion
what are the sulfate, halide, native element groups composed of
sulfates - metal ion, sulfur, oxygen
halides - ex. fluorine, chlorine, iodine combines with sodium, potassium, or calcium
native elements - single elements ex. gold & silver
what things are the 7 needed properties to identify minerals
color, luster (surface reflection, metallic, non-metallic), streak, cleavage & fracture, hardness, gravity, special properties
what is the definition of rocks
any solid mass of mineral that occurs naturally
3 major rock types
igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
what is the continuous process that causes rocks to change
rock cycle
