Minerals

Properties of Minerals

How Minerals Form

Using Mineral Resources

Table of Contents

Minerals

What Is a Mineral?

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

- Properties of Minerals

Minerals

Calculating Density To calculate the density of a mineral, divide the mass of the mineral sample by its volume.

Density = Mass/Volume

For example, if a sample of olivine has a mass of 237 g and a volume of 72 cm3, then the density is

237 g/72 cm3 = 3.3 g/cm3

Practice Problem

A sample of calcite has a mass of 324 g and a volume of 120 cm3. What is its density?

324 g ÷ 120 cm3 = 2.7 g/cm3


Minerals

Mineral Density

Use the line graph of the mass and volume of pyrite samples to answer the questions.


Minerals

Mineral Density

50 g; 10 cm3

Reading Graphs:

What is the mass of Sample B? What is the volume of Sample B?


Minerals

Mineral Density

5 g/cm3

Calculating:

What is the density of Sample B?


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Mineral Density

100 g; 20 cm3

Reading Graphs:

What is the mass of Sample C? What is the volume of Sample C?


Minerals

Mineral Density

5 g/cm3

Calculating:

What is the density of Sample C?


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Mineral Density

The density of samples B and C is the same.

Comparing and Contrasting:

Compare the density of Sample B to that ofSample C.


Minerals

Mineral Density

8 g

Predicting:

A piece of pyrite has a volume of 40 cm3. What is its mass?


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Mineral Density

No; density does not depend on size. Larger samples have more mass, but the ratio between mass and volume is constant.

Drawing Conclusions:

Does the density of a mineral depend on the size of the mineral sample? Explain.


Minerals

Identifying Minerals


The crystals of each mineral grow atom by atom to form that mineral’s particular crystal structure. Geologists classify these structures into six groups based on the number and angle of the crystal faces.

Minerals

Crystal Systems Activity

Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about crystal systems.


Minerals

OutliningAn outline shows the relationship between major ideas and supporting ideas. As you read, make an outline about the properties of minerals. Use the red headings for the main topics and the blue headings for the subtopics.

Properties of Minerals

I. What Is a Mineral?A. Naturally OccurringB. InorganicC. SolidD. Crystal StructureE. Definite Chemical

CompositionII. Identifying Minerals

A. ColorB. StreakC. LusterD. DensityE. HardnessF. Crystal SystemsG. Cleavage and FractureH. Special Properties


Minerals

Data Sharing Lab

Click the PHSchool.com button for an activity about sharing data for the Skills Lab Finding the Density of Minerals.

Minerals

End of Section:Properties of

Minerals

Minerals

Where Minerals Form

Minerals can form on the surface through evaporation of solutions containing dissolved minerals. Minerals can form beneath the surface when dissolved elements and compounds leave a hot water solution or when magma cools and hardens.

- How Minerals Form

Minerals

Asking QuestionsBefore you read, preview the red headings. In a graphic organizer like the one below, ask a how or what question for each heading. As you read, write answers to your questions.

How do minerals form from magma?

They form when magma cools and crystals grow.

How do minerals form from solutions?

They form when solutions evaporate or cool.

Questions Answers

- How Minerals Form

Minerals

More on Mineral Formation

Click the PHSchool.com button for an activityabout mineral formation.

- How Minerals Form

Minerals

End of Section:How Minerals

Form

Minerals

Producing Metals From Minerals

In the process of smelting, an ore is mixed with other substances and then melted to separate the useful metal from the other elements the ore contains.

- Using Mineral Resources

Minerals

What You Know

What You Learned

Using Prior KnowledgeBefore you read, look at the section headings and visuals to see what this section is about. Then write what you know about mineral resources in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, write what you learn.

1. The gems used in jewelry are minerals.2. Metals come from Earth.

1. Minerals are also the source of metals and other useful materials, like quartz and gypsum.

2. Most metals come from ores, which are mined and smelted before the metals can be used.


Minerals

Rubies

Click the Video button to watch a movie about rubies.


Minerals

Producing Aluminum

Click the Video button to watch a movie aboutproducing aluminum.


Minerals

Links on Mining Minerals

Click the SciLinks button for links on mining minerals.


Minerals

End of Section:Using Mineral

Resources

Minerals

Graphic Organizer

Hematite Brick

Naturally occurring

Crystal structure

Definite chemical

composition

Solid or inorganic

Inorganic or solid

Human-made

No crystal structure

Chemical composition

varies

Minerals

End of Section:Graphic Organizer

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