Minerals of the Earth
Download
Report
Transcript Minerals of the Earth
Earth Science Notes
MINERALS
Objectives
I can…
Identify and describe the criteria for crystals
classification
Explain the concept of the Unit Cell and tell
why it is necessary in explaining mineral
structures
Determine the identity of minerals based ont
their properties.
Definition of a Mineral
A mineral is
naturally occurring,
inorganic,
homogeneous solid with a definite chemical
composition
Has ordered atomic arrangement.
Five parts to this definition
Naturally occurring – not man made, may be
found on earth, space, or other planets.
Inorganic – minerals are not formed by living
things but by earth processes.
Five parts to this definition
Homogeneous solid – made up with the same
atoms throughout the mineral.
The Mineral Halite (Sodium Chloride)
Five parts to this definition
Definite chemical composition - atoms must
occur in the same ratios.
Most minerals are ionic compounds – recall
ionic compounds have a definite ratio of atoms
aluminum oxide 2:3 ratio
(2 Aluminum atoms to 3 Oxygen atoms)
Five parts to this definition
Ordered atomic arrangement – must be
crystalline – have repeating units
Unit cell – the most basic component of a
crystal.
Glasses, like obsidian, are not minerals
Orderly Atomic Arrangement
Crystals: solids where atoms are arranged in an
orderly repeating pattern.
Front View of Crystal Lattice
Enlarged 3-D view of Unit Cell
Orderly Atomic Arrangement
Crystal Lattices – repeated unit cells
Orderly Atomic Arrangement
Crystal Systems – made up of crystal lattices
Types of crystal systems (also see p 64)
Cubic
Hexagonal
Monoclinic
Tetragonal
Orthorhombic
Triclinic
Orderly Atomic Arrangement
Unit Cell Crystal Lattice Crystal System
Mineral Formation
Minerals form as a result of two processes
Magma cooling
Minerals formed depend on the elements present and
the amount of those elements.
The size of the mineral crystal depends on the rate at
which the crystal cooled.
Mineral Formation
Minerals form as a result of
two processes
Solutions evaporating
Solutions have two parts
Solute – substance being dissolved
Solvent – substance doing the dissolving
With some solutions the solvent (water) can be
evaporated and the solute (salt) dissolved
reappears in crystal form.
Mineral Formation
Solutions evaporating to form minerals: the spotted
lake (kliluk), situated in osoyoos, Canada, contains one of the highest
concentrations of minerals in the world (mainly epsom salts, calcium
and sodium sulphates).
Mineral Classification
Most mineral groups are based on the elements that
are in the mineral.
Silicates – vast majority of the earth’s crust.
Oxides – minerals that have oxygen in them.
Ex: Pyrite and galena
Halide – … have one of the halogens in them.
Ex: Hematite and Magnetite
Sulfides – minerals that have sulfur in them.
Ex: Quartz and Feldspar
Ex: halite (NaCl) and Fluorite
Pure metal elements: Gold, silver, etc
Mineral Identification
Physical Properties of minerals allow for
accurate identification
Hardness
Luster
Specific Gravity
Streak
Cleavage
Special Properties
Mineral Identification
Hardness:
determine by
Mohs Scale
HARDNESS
SCALE
INDEX
MINER
AL
1
Talc
2
Gypsum
3
Calcite
4
Fluorite
5
Apatite
6
Orthoclase
7
Quartz
8
Topaz
9
Corundum
10
Diamond
COMMON
OBJECTS
Fingernail
Copper Penny
Glass
Mineral Identification
Luster: reflecting of light
The two main types of luster are metallic and
nonmetallic.
Metallic luster
Nonmetallic Luster
Mineral Identification
Specific Gravity: Specific gravity is the
"heaviness" of a mineral.
It is defined as a number that expresses the ratio
between the weight of a mineral and the weight of
an equal volume of water. Water has a specific
gravity of 1.
Mineral Identification
Streak: is the color of the powder left on a
streak plate
Mineral Identification
Cleavage: is the ability of a mineral to break
along preferred planes.
Fracture: tendency of a
mineral to break along
curved surfaces without a
definite shape
Mineral Identification
Special Properties of minerals
Transparency
Magnetism
Tenacity (how tough a mineral is)
Minerals
Summary
What makes something a mineral?
Arrangement and organization of crystal structures
Unit Cell lattices Crystal systems
Formation of Minerals
Five characteristics
From lava / Solutions
Mineral Identification
Based on physical properties
Assessment
Can I…
Identify and describe the criteria for crystals
classification
Explain the concept of the Unit Cell and tell
why it is necessary in explaining mineral
structures
Determine the identity of minerals based ont
their properties.