Atoms

Atoms basic building blocks for all earth

materials; consist of 3 basic components:
protons, neutrons, electrons

Atoms combine to form

Elements

Elements fundamental component that

can not be broken down into other
substances by ordinary chemical
processes

Elements combine to form minerals

General Facts About Minerals

2,000 + minerals have been identified

A few are native elements -- made of

only one element, such as sulfur, gold.
copper, and graphite (carbon)
Most are compounds, especially the
silicate group (Si, O).
Other important groups are oxides,
carbonates, and sulfides.

MINERALS
NATIVE ELEMENTS

Gold (Au)
Silver (Ag)
Platinum (Pt)
Diamond (C)
Graphite (C)
Sulfur (S)
Copper (Cu)

Gold

Copper

Silver

Mineral Criteria

1. Crystalline solid atoms have specific

arrangement or crystal structure

2. Naturally occurring not manufactured

3. Have a definite chemical composition

may be a single element or combination

4. Inorganic minerals not made by living

things (organic)

MINERAL FORMATION

CRYSTALLIZE FROM MAGMA or LAVA

solidification of liquid magma/lava to solid
with a definite internal arrangement of
atoms into a regular repeating pattern

PRECIPITATE FROM SOLUTION

dissolved minerals come out of solution
(water) to form solids

Physical Properties of Minerals

1- Optical Properties
Color
Streak
Luster
Diaphaneity
2- Cohesive Properties
Hardness
Cleavage
Parting
Fracture
Tenacity
3- Sense Properties
Touch
Odour
Teste
4- Specific Gravity
5- Other Properties such as:
Magnetism
Electricity
Radioactivity
Fusibility
Solubility

Minerals are identified by their

Physical Properties
Crystal Form determines physical properties
Color
Streak
Luster metallic, non-metallic
Hardness Mohs Hardness Scale (1-10)
Cleavage
Fracture
Acid Test for carbonate minerals

A minerals physical properties

are controlled by its internal
arrangement of atoms
regularly repeating, orderly pattern

The most common crystalline

structure

Silica-oxygen tetrahedron basic

building block for silicate minerals

Silica tetrahedron combine

several different ways
Five major types of
silicate minerals
based on their
structure
A) Isolated tetrahedron
B) Single chain
C) Double chains
D) Sheet silicates
E) 3-D framework
silicates

Minerals can have the same chemical composition

(Carbon) but different physical properties because
of their crystal structure

Diamond

Graphite

COLOR
Color is not usually a definitive property of
a mineral.
Some minerals have characteristics colors
Others vary due to chemical differences or
impurities (atoms mixed inside the main
elements)
However most minerals have a variety of
colors.

Some Colors of Quartz

STREAK

For opaque minerals, if you rub the

sample across a streak plate, it will leave a
colored powder. This streak is distinctive
for minerals and is used to identify
minerals.

Varieties of Hematite all same color streak

HARDNESS Minerals resistance to

scratching or abrasion. Minerals with higher
numbers will scratch minerals below

LUSTER Does this look like it could

be made from a hard metal?

Describes how light reflects off the surface

Categories:

Metallic or Non-metallic

Metallic luster of metal shines like a hard metal

(light does not penetrate)
Many non-metallic minerals are SHINY because they
are transparent or semi-transparent

Non-metallic: vitreous or glassy; silky; pearly; greasy; waxy,

dull; earthy

Examples of metallic luster

More Examples of Metallic Luster

Pyrite (FeS2)
Galena (PbS)

PYRITE

GALENA

Example of non-metallic luster

Vitreous--quartz

Example of non-metallic luster

Silky--example plagioclase feldspar

Non-metallic and metallic luster

earthy hematite metallic hematite

Cleavage and Fracture

Some minerals split along flat surfaces
(called cleavage planes) when struck
hard--this is called mineral cleavage
Other minerals break unevenly along
rough or curved surfaces--this is called
fracture
A few minerals have both cleavage and
fracture ( mica )

Cleavage due to weak bonds in

the crystal structure
Halite (NaCl)
Fluorite (CaF2)

HALITE
FLUORITE

Cleavage

MUSCOVITE
BIOTITE

Rose Quartz Conchoidal Fracture

Conchoidal Fracture - Quartz

Obsidian

NONSILICATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
Carbonate ion (CO32-) is prominent in minerals.
Bonds generally weak.
Minerals are soft (3-4).
Minerals are soluble in acidic water.
Leads to cave development.
Calcite (CaCO3) if transparent can
Break light into 2 images
(double refraction)

CALCITE

Acid Test for Carbonates

Special Characteristics:

Carbonates react with dilute HCl and other

acids by fizzing or bubbling (releasing
CO2 gas)

Less than a dozen are common in

most rocks

Quartz
Feldspar (group)
Muscovite (silver white mica)
Biotite (black mica)
Calcite
Pyroxene
Olivine
Amphibole (group)
Magnetite, limonite, and other iron oxides
Pyrite

Common uses include: Use back

page of ESRT for this information

Aluminum--packaging, transport, building

Beryllium--gemstones, fluorescent lights
Copper--electric cables, wires, switches
Feldspar--glass and ceramics
Iron--buildings, automobiles, magnets
Calcite--toothpaste, construction