Types of Minerals

1
Types of Minerals

• Section 4.2

2
Mineral Groups

• Minerals are classified based on their chemical
  properties and characteristics
• Geologists have classified minerals in order to
  study and understand their properties

3
Silicates

• Silicates are minerals that contain oxygen and
  silicon, and usually one or more other elements.
• Silicates make up 96 of the minerals in Earths
  crust.
• Includes feldspar and quartz
• Tetrahedron a geometric solid having 4 sides
  that are equilateral triangles

4
Silicates

• Differences in silicates are due to differences
  in the arrangement of their silica tetrahedra.
• Compare mica and asbestos

5
Carbonates

• Carbonates are minerals composed of one or more
  metallic elements and the carbonate ion (CO3 ).
• Include calcite, dolomite, and rhodochrosite
• Primary minerals in limestone and marble
• What color is rhodochrosite?

6
Oxides

• Oxides are compounds of oxygen and metal
• What is the chemical formula of Hematite and
  magnetite?
• Which mineral oxide is used to generate nuclear
  power?

7
Other groups

• Other groups include sulfides, sulfates, halides
  and native elements
• Native elements consist of only one element

8
Ores

• Ores are minerals that contain a valuable
  substance that can be mined for profit
• Which ores come from the following minerals
• Hematitie
• Bauxite
• Ilmenite
• Underground mining vs. Open-pit mines

9
Gems

• Gems are valuable minerals that are prized for
  their rarity and beauty.
• Includes rubies, emeralds, and diamonds
• Why are rubies and emeralds more valuable than
  diamonds?