By: Megan TietzBy: Megan Tietz

What is a Mineral?What is a Mineral?

A mineral is an inorganic A mineral is an inorganic naturally-occurring crystalline naturally-occurring crystalline solid. It has specific physical solid. It has specific physical properties and a definite chemical properties and a definite chemical composition. composition.

http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/minerals/faq.html#mineral

What is a Rock?What is a Rock?

A rock is usually composed of 2 or A rock is usually composed of 2 or more minerals in some physical more minerals in some physical combination, although some combination, although some rocks are composed of only one rocks are composed of only one mineral. mineral.

Is a Rock a Mineral?Is a Rock a Mineral?

No. Although a rock is also No. Although a rock is also inorganic and occurs naturally, it inorganic and occurs naturally, it is not a crystalline solid. It is a is not a crystalline solid. It is a consolidated material composed consolidated material composed of grains of one or more of grains of one or more minerals .minerals .

http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/minerals/faq.html#mineral

How are Rocks How are Rocks FormedFormed There are three types of ways There are three types of ways

rocks are formed…rocks are formed… Sedimentary RocksSedimentary Rocks Igneous RocksIgneous Rocks Metamorphic RocksMetamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary RocksSedimentary Rocks

When rocky fragments and sediments are deposited together by wind, water or ice, they gradually (over thousands or more years) cement together into new rocks, called sedimentary rocks. Limestone and sandstone are common sedimentary rocks. You can often find fossils embedded in these rocks—they were deposited together with the sediments!

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faqs.html

Shale

Sandstone

Limestone

Conglomerate

Gypsum

http://sln.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/expert/gneiss.htm

Igneous RocksIgneous Rocks

When molten rock called magma rises up from the earth's mantle deep underground, it forms igneous rocks. Some igneous rocks erupt from volcanoes as lava or pumice. Others, like granite, form in underground magma chambers.

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faqs.htmlhttp://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faqs.html

Granite

Scoria

Pumice

Obsidian

http://sln.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/expert/gneiss.htm

Metamorphic RocksMetamorphic Rocks

Sometimes sedimentary and igneous rocks are changed dramatically by forces inside the Earth. Extreme heat or pressure underground can bake, squeeze, or fold rocks into something new. Then they are called metamorphic rocks—metamorphic is Greek for "change of form.“

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faqs.htmlhttp://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faqs.html

Schist

Gneiss

http://sln.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/expert/gneiss.htm

www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html

Does the Rock Cycle Does the Rock Cycle Ever Ever Stop? Stop? No, the rock cycle never stops. No, the rock cycle never stops.

Rocks keep breaking down and Rocks keep breaking down and into pieces and keep changing into pieces and keep changing into other types of rocks. It’s just into other types of rocks. It’s just one big cycle that keeps going one big cycle that keeps going and going…and going…

All rock can be heated. But where All rock can be heated. But where does the heat come from? Inside does the heat come from? Inside Earth there is heat from pressure Earth there is heat from pressure (push your hands together very (push your hands together very hard and feel the heat). There is hard and feel the heat). There is heat from friction (rub your hands heat from friction (rub your hands together and feel the heat). There is together and feel the heat). There is also heat from radioactive decay also heat from radioactive decay (the process that gives us nuclear (the process that gives us nuclear power plants that make electricity). power plants that make electricity). So, what does the heat do to the So, what does the heat do to the rock? It bakes the rock.rock? It bakes the rock.

Rocks and Heat

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html

Properties of a Properties of a MineralMineral

You can tell the differences between minerals by looking for certain properties. Because each mineral is unique both chemically and structurally, each has its own set of physical, optical, and structural properties which aid in its identification.

http://rockhoundingar.com/pebblepups/basics.html

What are the Physical What are the Physical Properties?Properties? Specific GravitySpecific Gravity StreakStreak HardnessHardness Light Dependent propertiesLight Dependent properties

– ColorColor– LusterLuster– DiaphanyDiaphany

Moh’s Rock Hardness Moh’s Rock Hardness Scale Scale

      

    

            

                 

               

         

 

          

 

             

         

  

                         

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Talc Gypsum Calcite Fluorite ApatiteOrthocla

seQuartz Topaz Corundum Diamond

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faqs.html

When can you start When can you start collecting?collecting?

The best thing about starting a geology The best thing about starting a geology collection is that you get to collect a little bit collection is that you get to collect a little bit of everything. After a while you'll discover of everything. After a while you'll discover what you're most interested in, and be able what you're most interested in, and be able to concentrate on a certain area. For to concentrate on a certain area. For example, you may focus on collecting fossil example, you may focus on collecting fossil shark teeth, or on fossils of the Cretaceous shark teeth, or on fossils of the Cretaceous period, or even on minerals that are the color period, or even on minerals that are the color blue! You can look for rocks and minerals blue! You can look for rocks and minerals anywhere, even when you on family anywhere, even when you on family vacations or out at the park. Just make sure vacations or out at the park. Just make sure your in an area that it’s ok to take them.your in an area that it’s ok to take them.