chapter 2 matters and minerals Flashcards
Definition of a mineral :Minerals form by natural, geologic processes. Synthetic materials, meaning those produced in a laboratory or by human intervention, are not considered minerals.
Naturally occurring
Definition of a mineral: Only solid crystalline substances are considered minerals. Ice (frozen water) fits this criterion and is considered a mineral, whereas liquid water and water vapor
do not. The exception is mercury, which is found in its liquid form
in nature.
Solid Substance
Definition of a mineral: Minerals are crystalline substances, which means their atoms are arranged in an orderly, repetitive manner. This orderly packing of atoms is reflected in the regularly shaped objects called crystals. Some naturally occurring solids, such as volcanic glass (obsidian), lack a repetitive atomic structure and are not considered minerals.
Orderly crystalline structure
Definition of a mineral: Inorganic crystalline solids, such as ordinary table salt (halite), that are found naturally in the ground are considered minerals. (Organic compounds, on the other hand, are generally not. Sugar, a crystalline solid like salt but which comes from sugarcane or sugar beets, is a common example of such an organic compound.) Many marine animals secrete inorganic compounds, such as calcium carbon- ate (calcite), in the form of shells and coral reefs. If these materials are buried and become part of the rock record, they are considered minerals by geologists.
Generally Inorganic
Definition of a mineral: Most
minerals are chemical compounds having compositions that can be expressed by a _______
chemical formula
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, called the _____
atomic number
Chemical bonds
The transfer or sharing of electrons that allows each atom to attain a full valence shell of electrons
Ionic bonds
When valence electrons are transferred between elements to form ions. The atom that gains an electron is negative, the atom that gives an electron is positive ion
Covalent bonds
when electrons are shared between atoms
Octet rule
Atoms gain, lose, or share electrons until they are surrounded by 8 valence electrons
Light Silicates
Make up mantle, light in color and density
Dark silicates
crust, darker, denser
