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Minerals vs Non-Minerals: Identifying Characteristics and Properties

Explore the characteristics and properties of minerals and non-minerals through a T-chart activity. Learn to distinguish between different minerals based on their solid nature, natural occurrence, inorganic composition, fixed chemical formula, and crystalline structure. Use the SNIFC method as a guide to determine if an item is a mineral. Gain knowledge on mineral classification and discover the various properties that can be used to differentiate one mineral from another. Watch the video "Earth Revealed: Minerals: Materials of the Earth" to further understand the use and naming of minerals and their relationship to Earth's history. Prepare for a hands-on lab activity to test for properties.

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Minerals vs Non-Minerals: Identifying Characteristics and Properties

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  1. It’s a Mineral….or is it? • Draw a T-chart in your notebook. • Label with Mineral/Non-mineral at the top • For each picture that you see, write the item under either Mineral or Non-mineral.

  2. 1 Wood

  3. 2 Gold

  4. 3 Fossil

  5. 4 Topaz

  6. 5 Bones

  7. 6 Granite

  8. 7 Quartz

  9. 8 Pearls

  10. 9 Talc

  11. 10 Icebergs

  12. 11 Diamond

  13. 12 Coal

  14. 13 Rock Salt

  15. So…what do you think? • Minerals • Non-Minerals

  16. And the answers are… • Minerals • Gold • Topaz • Quartz • Talc • Iceberg* • Diamonds • Non-Minerals • Wood - once living • Fossils – once living • Bone - living material • Granite - intrusive igneous rock • Pearls – made by oysters • Coal - Sedimentary rock • Rock Salt – Sedimentary rock According to IMA – ice is listed as a mineral

  17. A mineral is…Below your T-Chart, add to what you already know from class and continue to construct your own definition of a mineral in your NB.

  18. What is a mineral? • The official line….. A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic, solid, that has a definite crystalline structure, & fixed chemical composition.

  19. What does a mineral have to be like? • Solid • Cannot be a liquid or a gas • Naturally Occurring • Found in nature, not man-made • Inorganic • Is not alive and never was, non-living • Fixed composition • Has a chemical formula, most are formed from compounds of two or more elements, some minerals consist of one element ex. Au • Crystal Form • A definite structure in which atoms are arranged

  20. Five questions to ask yourself when determining if an item is a mineral or not: • Is it a solid? • Is it naturally occurring • Is it non-living (inorganic)? • Does it have a fixed chemical composition (i.e. does it have a chemical formula)? • Does is make a crystalline structure? • That spells S.N.I.F.C.

  21. S.N.I.F.C. –a gimmick to decide if a substance is a mineral. • Trace your hand print on a clean sheet in your NB. • Put the letters –SNIFC—as shown below. • Each letter stands for one mineral trait. • Fold a finger down as you decide if a criteria is met. If all your fingers end up folded down, then a fist is sign language for “yes”. Now, write out the rest of the words on you hand. I F N C S

  22. How can you classify minerals? Learning Target: • Use the minerals and tools to determine a list of properties (characteristics) that you could use to determine the name of and tell the differences between one mineral and another. Check out the video: Earth Revealed: “Minerals: Materials of the Earth” to see how minerals are used, named, and help find out about Earth’s history

  23. What properties can you come up with?Be ready to test for properties in our next classroom lab activity.

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