Minerals

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Minerals
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What is a mineral?

• A naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a
  definite structure and composition

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Naturally occurring

• All materials are formed by natural processes

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Inorganic Solid

• Not alive and are not made by life processes
• Every mineral has definite shape and volume

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Definite Structure

• Atoms in the mineral are arranged in a pattern
  repeated over and over again

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Definite Composition

• Every mineral is an element or compound with a
  chemical composition unique to that mineral

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Mineral Formation

• Minerals form from the cooling of hot melted rock
• The type/amount of elements in the magma
  determine which mineral it will become.

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Mineral Characteristics

• Hardness
• Luster
• Color
• Streak
• Fracture
• Other properties

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• Hardness
• How easily a mineral can be scratched
• Rated on a scale of 1 - 10
• Luster
• How light is reflected from the surface
• Metallic always shiney
• Non-metallic described as dull, pearly, silky,
  glassy
• Color
• Although this is a clue, it is not enough to
  identify a mineral

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• Streak
• Color of a mineral when it is powdered or broken
  up
• Fracture/cleavage
• The way a mineral breaks
• Fracture rough or jagged edges
• Cleavage smooth flat surface
• Other properties
• Magnetism
• Reaction to HCL (hydrochloric acid)