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Minerals

Learn about the characteristics of minerals, how they form, and the physical properties used for identification. Discover the unique features of minerals like color, luster, hardness, cleavage, and other properties. Explore different mineral groups and their formation processes.

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Minerals

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  1. Minerals

  2. What is a Mineral? • Naturally-formed solid substance with a crystal structure Pyromorphite

  3. What do all minerals have in common? All: • Are formed by natural processes. • Are NOT alive and NEVER were alive • Have a definite volume and shape • Are elements or compounds with a unique chemical makeup • Are made up of particles that are arranged in a pattern that is repeated over and over (called a CRYSTAL)

  4. Groups of Minerals • Minerals are grouped by the elements they are made of. Beryl (Emerald) Calcite Amethyst

  5. MICA Quartz

  6. BariteBaSo4 Barite on CalciteBaSo4 / CaCO3

  7. Halite Fluorite

  8. Calcite with Duftite inclusions

  9. How do minerals form? • 1) Cooling of magma (hot, liquid rock and minerals inside the earth (from the mantle)) • Fast Cooling = No Crystals (mineraloids) • Medium Cooling = small crystals • Slow Cooling = large crystals

  10. How do minerals form? • 2) Elements dissolved in liquids (usually water)

  11. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Color • Can be misleading • Can vary with the type of impurities

  12. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Luster • Surface reflection • metallic = shiny like metal • non-metallic = dull, non-shiny surface Pyrite has a metallic luster Quartz has a non-metallic luster

  13. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Streak • The color of the powdered form of the mineral • The color of the streak can be different than the mineral • Minerals must be softer than the streak plate

  14. Streak…can help identify quartz BUT... http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b3.html

  15. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Hardness • How easily a mineral scratches materials • Mohs Hardness Scale • Scale from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) • Test by seeing if the mineral can scratch different objects (like human fingernail, copper, penny, glass, steel file)

  16. Find out more… • “Electronic” Hardness Test http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b2.html

  17. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Cleavage & Fracture • The way the mineral breaks • Cleavage—minerals break along smooth, flat surfaces and every fragment has the same general shape • Fracture—minerals that break at random with rough or jagged edges

  18. 1. 4. 3. 2. Cleavage or Fracture?

  19. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Other Properties • Specific gravity (*excellent clue to mineral’s identity) • Attraction to magnets • Bending of light • Reaction with hydrochloric acid • Smell & taste http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b4.html

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