MineralsMinerals

Characteristics of MineralsCharacteristics of Minerals

Minerals are…Minerals are…

Naturally occurring (not man Naturally occurring (not man made)made)

Yes - Diamonds No – Cubic Zirconia

Minerals are…Minerals are…

Inorganic (non-living)Inorganic (non-living)

From non-living carbon

From carbon of plants

Mineral Not a mineral

Minerals are…Minerals are…

Solid – definite volume, definite Solid – definite volume, definite shapeshape

Minerals are…Minerals are…

Solid – definite volume, definite Solid – definite volume, definite shapeshape

Definite chemical (fixed) compositionDefinite chemical (fixed) composition

A mineral always contains certain elements in definite proportions

Minerals have…Minerals have…

Crystal structure – a repeating Crystal structure – a repeating pattern of particlespattern of particles

Write a definition for a mineral

A mineral is…

Write a definition for a mineral

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Solid

Naturally Occurring

Inorganic

Composition

Element or Compound

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

ColorColor

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

ColorColor Streak – Streak – color of the mineral as a powdercolor of the mineral as a powder

- we use a streak plate (unglazed- we use a streak plate (unglazed

porcelain) to create the powderporcelain) to create the powder

Where do we perform aStreak test everyday?

Using a pencil.

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

Luster – Luster – how light reflects off the surfacehow light reflects off the surface

of a mineralof a mineral

Metallic (like metal)Metallic (like metal)

Nonmetallic – glassy, waxy, greasy, Nonmetallic – glassy, waxy, greasy, pearly,pearly,

dull, silky, earthydull, silky, earthy

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

Density – mass per unit volumeDensity – mass per unit volume

density= mass/volumedensity= mass/volume

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

Density – mass per unit volumeDensity – mass per unit volume

density= mass/volumedensity= mass/volume Mass = 72 g Volume = 9 cmMass = 72 g Volume = 9 cm3 3 Density = ? Density = ?

8 g/cm8 g/cm33

Hardness – Hardness – how easily a mineral can be how easily a mineral can be

scratchedscratched Moh’s ScaleMoh’s Scale

Softest (1) - Hardest (10)Softest (1) - Hardest (10)

Mohs Hardness ScaleMohs Hardness Scale

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals Crystal systemsCrystal systems

cubiccubic tetragonaltetragonal hexagonal hexagonal

orthorhombicorthorhombic monoclinicmonoclinic triclinic triclinic

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

BreakageBreakageCleavage - breaks along flat Cleavage - breaks along flat surfacessurfaces

Fracture – breaks in an irregular Fracture – breaks in an irregular wayway

Identifying MineralsIdentifying Minerals

Special PropertiesSpecial PropertiesMagnetic (magnetite)Magnetic (magnetite)

Optical properties (some calcite)Optical properties (some calcite)

Fizzes with HCl (calcite)Fizzes with HCl (calcite)

Taste (halite)Taste (halite)

Smell (sulfur)Smell (sulfur)