MINERALS

The Chemistry behind Minerals Matter – anything that takes up space and has mass. Element – the simplest substance. Cannot be

broken down. Examples: carbon, iron, gold, etc… Atom – smallest part of an element that shares its

properties. Made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Minerals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXSwnkieZc

Minerals Mineral – a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a

definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure.

YOU MUST KNOW THIS DEFINITION BY HEART! Inorganic – not from living things in any way. Crystal – having a definite repeating pattern.

Many minerals come from magma. Most are made up of the 8 most abundant elements in the earth’s crust.

Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, Iron, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium. You need to memorize these!!

How do plants & wild animals get the minerals they need?

Be Creative & Make a Mnemonic for the

abundant elements

On Statues An Innocent Cat Spits Pink Mice

ENTRANCE TICKET:

Turn in on a half sheet of paperDO NOT USE YOUR NOTES!!

1. Define mineral:2. Name the 8 elements in the Earth’s crust:

Physical properties of minerals

1. Color – External color, Ex: Azurite is always blue AND Streak – the color it “writes” on a hard, rough surface.

2. Luster – the way a mineral reflects light from its surface or the way it shines.

ex: metallic, glassy, pearly, silky, and dull.

More physical properties…

3. Density – amount of matter in a given space, it never changes AND

Hardness – the ability to resist being scratched. Note the softest and hardest rock on Moh’s scale.

Talc=softest & Diamond=hardest.

Mohs Scale Practice Time!!

work w/ your face partner to complete ONLY the MOHS MINERAL CHALLENGE

Still more…

4. Crystal shape – the way the atoms come together, primarily six basic shapes.

5. Breakage Pattern: Cleavage – split along smooth, definite surface OR Fracture – split along a rough, jagged surface.

Special properties

magnetite is magnetic

fluorite glows in ultraviolet light

halite tastes salty

sulfur stinks like rotten eggs

calcite fizzes when in contact with an acid

Uraninite is radioactive.

Cleavage and Fracture

Metals/Non-metals Metals – are shiny and able to conduct heat and

electricity. Non-metals – are dull and cannot conduct heat or

electricity.

Valuable Minerals

Gemstone – minerals used for jewelry: diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.

Amber – from fossilized tree sap but still considered a gemstone. Remember from Jurassic Park… not a true mineral

Pearl – from oysters and mussels, considered a gemstone, not a true mineral

Semi-precious stones – amethyst, zircons, and turquoise… not minerals either

Mineral Families Silicates: feldspar and quartz, make glass & ceramics Carbonates: calcite and dolomite, construction (concrete) Oxides: hematite and magnetite, contain metallic minerals

1. Rock Forming Minerals: quartz, feldspar, calcite, and mica2. Ore Minerals: pyrite, magnetite, hematite, galena, graphite,

and sulfur. 3. Ores – describes minerals from which metals/non-metals

can be removed through smelting in usable amounts.

Table Talk…1. Name the 5 properties of minerals.

2. How are metals and non-metals different?

3. What was the hardest mineral on Moh’s scale?

4. What does inorganic mean?

5. Name 3 gemstones.

6. What is an ore?