Properties of Minerals

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Properties of Minerals
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5 Characteristics of Minerals

• Naturally occurring -
• Inorganic -
• Solid -
• Crystal Structure -
• Definite chemical composition

Not Man Made
Must come from abiotic factors
Definite shape volume
Repeating patterns faces
Contains certain elements in definite proportions
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According to the definition of a mineral, can
water be classified as a mineral? Explain.
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Identifying Minerals

• Hardness
• Color
• Streak
• Luster
• Density

• Crystal Systems
• Cleavage and Fracture
• Special Properties

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• Compare and Contrast quartz and sulfur.

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• How are cleavage and fracture similar? Different?

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• Why cant you rely on any single test or property
  to identify a mineral?

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Formation of Minerals
2 methods
Size of Crystals depends on

• Crystallization of melted materials.
• Crystallization of materials dissolved in H2O

• Rate of magma cooling
• Amount of gas magma contains
• Composition of magma

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Minerals Resources
Metals

• Gemstones
• Valuable for color, luster, rarity, durability

• Found in
• Food
• Medicines
• Fertilizers
• Building Materials

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