Minerals

Rocks are made up of minerals but minerals are not made up of rocks!!

Minerals

There are different kinds of minerals in rocks because rocks are made up of minerals.

Minerals are not made up of rocks.

The definition of a mineral includes very specific parts

It is multipart definition that helps us distinguish rocks from minerals

Definition Part #1: Solid

Matter, things, can be in three different forms in nature Gas (Oxygen,

Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen)

Liquid (Water) Solid (Minerals,

Wood, Rock, Metal)

Minerals must be solids

Definition Part #2: Inorganic

Things in nature are either Organic or Inorganic

Organic means:

Comes from living things

Inorganic means: Not coming from living things

So minerals cannot come from living

things

Definition Part #3: Naturally Formed

Minerals are naturally formed They are found in

nature Natural things

include rocks, minerals, wood

They are not man-made People cannot

make a mineral Man-made things

include plastic, glass,

concrete, Styrofoam

Definition Part #4: Structure

Minerals have a definite structure

Structure means: The individual pieces of the mineral are arranged in a way that is specific to that mineral You would have to study this aspect of

minerals with a microscope

Definition Part #5: Same throughout

Minerals are made up of the same things

There is not a mixture of parts like in rocks.

The whole definition of minerals….

A solid (not a liquid or a gas) Inorganic (not living) Naturally formed (not man made) Has definite structure Is the same throughout (is not

made up of different things)

http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/index.htm

Interesting Facts about Minerals

Approximately 4,000 different minerals have been identified by scientists so far!

50-100 new minerals are discovered every year!

Properties / Characteristics of Minerals

Properties help us identify minerals

We can use these properties to help us classify minerals just like the scientists who first found and identified them!

Property #1: Color Minerals can be many

different colors Color can change due

to IMPURITIES (other things in the mineral that are not pure) Example: Pyrite (fool’s

gold) will turn brown or black when exposed to air

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/carbonat/calcite/images/4assortd.htm

Property #2: Luster Luster means: “the

way a surface reflects light” (www.dictionary.com)

Whether or not it is shiny!!

Minerals that are shiny have a METALLIC luster.

Minerals that are dull have a NONMETALLIC luster.

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sulfides/pyrite/pyrite2.htm

Property #3: Streak

If you were to rub a mineral on a special piece of porcelain (pottery-like) called a “streak plate”, streak is the color of the powder left behind

In simple terms, the color of its powder when rubbed!!

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/oxides/hematite/hematit6.htm

Property #4: Cleavage

If you were to break a mineral, “cleavage” is when it breaks and creates smooth, flat surfaces or pieces

Examples include Mica – breaks into

sheets Halite – breaks at 90

degree angles

in three directionshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/orbitaljoe/108073872/

Property #5: Fracture

If you were to break a mineral, “fracture” is when it breaks and creates a rough surface

An Example includes Quartz – creates a

curved fracture

Property #6: Hardness• A mineral’s resistance to

being scratched. • The ability of a harder

material to scratch a softer material

Measured on the MOHS hardness scale.

It was created in 1812 by the German mineralogist, Friedrich Mohs

A Mohs Value of 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest.

http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/elements/diamond/diamond.htm

Mohs Hardness Scale

1. Talc Softest

2. Gypsum

3. Calcite

4. Fluorite

5. Apatite

6. Orthoclase

7. Quartz

8. Topaz

9. Corundum

10. Diamond Hardest

Property #7: Density

Measure of how much matter (stuff) is in the mineral.

Golf ball feels heavier than ping-pong ball because it is more dense (made of more stuff).

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/elements/gold/gold1.htm

Special Property #1: Fluorescence

Does it glow under ultraviolet light? Yes: Then is has the

property of Fluorescence

No: Then is does not have the property Fluorescence

http://www.sterlinghill.org/Tour%20information.htm

Special Property #2: Chemical Reactions

Does it bubble in acid??

Special Property #3: Optical

Optical means: pertaining to sight or vision; visual (

www.dictionary.com)

Example: A thin piece of

calcite placed over something

will cause a double image

Special Property #4: Magnetism

Magnetism means: “the properties of attraction possessed by magnets” (www.dictionary.com)

Natural magnets that attract iron

Do other metals or minerals stick to it like magnets?

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/oxides/magnetit/magneti4.htm

Special Property #5: Taste

Example: Halite has a salty taste.

DO NOT TASTE MINERALS!

http://mineral.galleries.com/scripts/item.exe?LIST+Minerals+Halides+Halite

Special Property #6: Radioactivity

Minerals that contain radium or uranium are radioactive

Common Uses of Minerals Aluminum: packaging, transport,

building (Yes, like aluminum cans) Beryllium: fluorescent lights (Like the

ones in school!) Copper: electric cables, wires, switches Feldspar: glass and ceramics Iron: buildings, automobiles, magnets Calcite: toothpaste,

construction http://www.mii.org/commonminerals.php

http://www.mii.org/www.mii.org

Even we need minerals!!!