Unit 2 minerals

FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MINERALS
1. Formed in Nature
 Not Human Made

2. Inorganic
 Formed from nonliving things
 Ex: Iron, Lead

3. Solid
 Has definite volume and
shape at normal conditions

4. Definite Chemical Composition
 Composition is same throughout mineral
Ex: Galena PbS
(Lead Sulfide)

5. Crystalline Structure
 Atoms arranged in repeating pattern
 Highly Ordered
Organization
 Ex: NaCl

WHAT TO ASK YOURSELF
• Is it organic material of any kind?
• Is it a solid?
• Is it naturally made?
• Does it have a crystalline structure?

NOW LETS PLAY
Mineral or not?

ANSWERS
Minerals Non-Minerals
Diamond Wood
Quartz Granite
Ice Fossil*
Copper Coal
Salt Glass
Sugar

MINERAL PROPERTIES
Mr. Froelich

COLOR
o Not always reliable
o Impurities – other materials in it
o Mineral contact with water or the atmosphere
o Defects in the crystalline structure

LUSTER
o Ability to reflect light of surface
o Metallic – looks as if made of metal
o Nonmetallic – looks glassy or not like metal
o Pearly- looks like a pearl
o Waxy-Looks like wax
o Earthy

HARDNESS
o Moh’s Scale of Hardness
o Ranges from 1(soft) to
10(hard)
Nail (4.5)
Write this table
down

STREAK
o Color of powder when scraped on porcelain

DENSITY
• This is used because minerals have
specific densities
• Density of copper is 8.96 g/mL

CRYSTAL SHAPE
o The way atoms/molecules arrange while mineral
forms

CLEAVAGE
o When minerals break along smooth surfaces
o Can have cleavage in multiple directions

FRACTURE
o When minerals break with
jagged or rough surfaces

CLEAVAGE/FRACTURE
o NOTE: Minerals can contain both cleavage and
fracture!
Cleavage
Fracture

1. Carbonates react with acids to form bubbles of CO2.
2. Some minerals fluoresce (glow) when exposed to UV light.
3. Some respond to magnets.
4. Some are radioactive.
Calcite reacts
with acid
SPECIAL PROPERTIES

Unit 2 minerals

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Unit 2 minerals