Chapter 5.Heather Rothwell

MatterMatter is anything that has mass and volume.An element is a substance that cannot be broken

into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means.

Structure of an atom nucleus contains protons -positive charge neutrons - no charge.Outside of the nucleus is the electrons. Electrons

carry a negative charge. As the number of electrons in atoms increases, more energy levels are needed to hold them.

Classifying AtomsThe periodic table is a tool used to organize information about the elements.Atoms of an element that have different masses

are called isotopes.The mass number of any given isotope is the

sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in that isotope.

Bonding of atomscompound a substance that contains atoms of two or more

elements that are chemically combined.There are three different bonds. Covalent bonds,

ionic bonds, and metallic bonds.

Compounds and mixturesA compound can have properties entirely unlike

those of the elements of which it is made.In a mixture, the individual elements or compounds

keep their own properties and can be separated only by chemical means.

Minerals

Minerals have these five characteristics:1. It occurs naturally.2. It is solid.3. It has a definite chemical composition.4. Its atoms are arranged in an orderly pattern.5. It is inorganic (was never alive).

How minerals formMinerals can form in several ways. All minerals

form in different ways. Ex. Many minerals from out of molten rock, or

magma, in which atoms, molecules, and ions can move freely.

Structure of minerals There are many different types of structures of

minerals. Ex. Crystal structure, silicates, carbon.

Rock-forming mineralsMost minerals, including gold and diamond, are

rare. Among the most commonly found minerals are quartz, feldspar, mica, and calcite.

Identifying Minerals by Inspection

A field guide to minerals is a useful tool. Lists properties such as color, luster, and crystal

shape.Luster of a mineral is the way the mineral shine in

light, that is another way to identify minerals.

Testing mineral specimensSome mineral properties are not revealed by

inspection and must be determined by simple physical tests.

The streak of a mineral is the color of its powder.Specific gravity is the ratio of its mass to the

mass of an equal volume of water.

Special properties of minerals

Some minerals have unusual characteristics that can be confirmed by inspection.

Ex. A variety of the mineral calcite. Iceland spar. Splits light rays that pass through it.

Major silicatesA silicate is a compound of a silicon, oxygen, and

usually one or more metallic elements, such as aluminum or iron.

The basic building block in silicates is the silica tetrahedron.

Ex. Quartz, feldspars.

CarbonatesAlthough the most widely found minerals are

silicates, several non silicate minerals are common too.

Ex. calcite dolomite.