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Join us on a journey through Hocking Hills State Park as we delve into the fascinating world of minerals - the building blocks of rocks. Learn about mineral properties, major mineral groups, and their significance in various industries. Discover how crystals form and the different types of mineral bonding.
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Field Trip #1: Hocking Hills State Park Saturday, October 2nd
Definition of a Mineral • A Mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, crystalline substance, with definitephysical and chemical properties. • Inorganic – not composed of Carbon – Hydrogen molecules (usually part of living tissue) • Crystalline – atoms have a structured arrangement.
ATOMS DO NOT WANT TO BE NEUTRAL THEY WANT TO BE STABLE • Stable Means Having Their Outer Shell Of Electrons Full To Capacity • This Can Happen By Losing Or Gaining Electrons to Other Atoms • This Process causes Atoms to Join Together: A Process Called Bonding
OTHER BONDS3) Metallic – Electrons act as a mobile cloud that moves from atom to atom. Accounts for excellent electrical conductivity of metals Example: Copper 4) van der Waals – Very weak Bond due to slight polarity of charge on atoms
MINERAL PROPERTIES: CLEAVAGE Breakage along planes of crystal weakness
MINERAL PROPERTIES: Other Properties • Color • Streak – color of powdered mineral • Luster – the way light reflects of a mineral • Specific Gravity – Weight of Mineral • Weight of same volume of water • Fracture – breakage through crystal • Reactivity – Reacts with Acid?
MAJOR MINERAL GROUPS What are the most common minerals in the Crust? 1) What are the most common elements?
SILICATES – Made From Silicon + Oxygen> 91% of all crustal minerals The Silicon – Oxygen Tetrahedron
The Silicon – Oxygen Tetrahedron can bond together in many different ways producing many different minerals
Other Important Mineral Groups 2) Carbonates – based on Carbonate ion (CO3) Calcite - Ca CO3, Dolomite - CaMg (CO3)2 Main component of the rocks limestone & dolostone. 3) Oxides – usually metals + oxygen Hematite - Fe2O3 (Iron Oxide or Rust), Corundum - Al2O3 (Aluminum Oxide or Ruby). Excellent source of ore metals
Other Important Mineral Groups 4) Sulfides – based on sulfide ion (S2-) Pyrite - FeS2 (“Fool’s Gold”) Excellent source of ore metals 5) Sulfates – based on sulfate ion (SO4)- Gypsum - CaSO4 (Drywall) Used in the construction industry
So, why study minerals? • Building Blocks of Rocks – what the Earth is made of. • Important Economically – Industry & Agriculture. • Can be incredibly beautiful!!