Transcript Minerals
Minerals
Do Now
1. What is an atom?
2. What is a mineral?
Provide 2 examples
Objective
SWBAT demonstrate understanding of how
scientist develop a geological timeline through a
quick quiz.
SWBAT describe characteristics that all minerals
share by answering the exit slip.
Homework: Complete Mineral Worksheet #1
What is a Mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic,
homogeneous solid with a definite chemical
composition and an ordered atomic arrangement.
Characteristics of All Minerals
1. Minerals are formed by a natural process.
2. Minerals are inorganic.
3. Every mineral is an element or a compound
with a definite chemical composition.
4. Minerals are crystalline solids.
What is a minerals structure?
Minerals have a crystalline structure meaning
that the atoms are arranged in a pattern that is
repeated.
A crystal is a solid in which the atoms are
arranged in orderly repeat patterns.
How are Crystals formed?
Crystals are formed from either:
Magma or a Salt Solutions
Crystals from Magma
Magma: hot melted rock material.
Magma that cools fast produces small crystals.
Magma that cools slow produces large crystals.
Crystals from Solution
1. This happens when minerals dissolve in
water.
2. When the water evaporates the ions left
behind crystalize.
OR
3. When there is more minerals than water the
ions can crystalize.
Mineral Composition and Groups
Of the 1000’s of known minerals only a few
dozen are common.
8 Elements form approximately 98% of the
Earth’s crust.
Minerals are classified according to the types of
atoms in their structures and the way that the
atoms are arranged.
Mineral Composition and Groups
The most common rock forming mineral is part of the
group know as Silicates.
Silicates are minerals that contain Oxygen and Silicon.
(There is usually one additional element)
Silicates make up most of the Earth’s crust and mantle.
Common Rock Forming Minerals:
Feldspar- Quartz (Silicates)
Calcite (Carbonate)
Exit Slip
1. List 4 characteristics of all minerals.
2. Describe how crystals of minerals are
classified.
Do Now
What are the physical properties of minerals?
List as many as you can
Objective
SWBAT: describe the physical properties used to
identify minerals in an exit slip.
Homework: Mineral Worksheet #2
Mineral Identification
Color:
Color may vary from one specimen of a mineral to
another hence is not a very reliable property to help
in mineral identification.
Mineral Identification
Hardness:
The measure of how easy a mineral can be
scratched.
The Mohs Scale of hardness is used. This is a
scale of 1-10.
Talc is the softest:1
Diamond is the hardest:10
Mohs Scale of Hardness
Mineral Identification
Luster:
The way a mineral reflects light.
Can be metallic or non-metallic
Metallic: Shine like metal
Non-Metallic: Does not have a shine
Mineral Identification
Specific Gravity:
The ratio of a minerals weight compared
with the weight of an equal volume of water.
Mineral Identification
Streak:
The color of a mineral when it is in a
powdered form.
This only works on minerals that are softer than
a streak plate.
Mineral Identification
cleavage and fracture:
Cleavage: The ability of a mineral to break apart in a
consistent way.
Break along smooth flat surfaces.
Fracture: The inability of a mineral to break apart in
a consistent manner.
Break with uneven, rough, or jagged surfaces.
Mineral Identification
Other special characteristics:
Magnetic- Magnetite
Fizzes with HCL- Calcite
Salty taste- Halite
Smells like rotten eggs- Sulfur
Exit Slip
1. Why is streaking more useful for mineral
identification than color?
2. How is hardness used to identify minerals?
3. Give an example of a mineral that harder than
a human fingernail and softer than Fluorite?
(Reference page 69)