Exam #2 Flashcards
(130 cards)
Atom
the smallest individual particle that retains distinctive properties of a given chemical element
4 major types of bonds
ionic, covalent, metallic, van der waals and hydrogen
Ionic Bond
Electrostatic attraction between (+) and (-) charged ions
Transfer of electron in outer shell to fill void in receptor atom
Produce a moderate strength and moderate hardness bond
Covalent Bond
electrons are shared between atoms rather than transferred
bond is hard and strong
Metallic Bond
Electrostatic attractive force in small group of metals
Electrons in higher-energy level shells are shared among several atoms and very loosely held, so they drift from atom to atom
Forms unique properties: opaque, malleable, good conductors
Van der Waals and Hydrogen Bond
weak secondary attraction between specific molecules
very weak bond
Backbone of minerals
complex ions
4 main methods of mineral formation
Chemically, biologically, cooling from melt, metamorphism
Chemical mineral formation
low T, Supersaturation from fluid or low temperature alteration
Biological mineral formation
low T, Skeleton, external hard parts, internal body, plants, microbes
Cooling from melt formation
high T, Crystalline precipitation from magma
Metamorphism formation
high T, Solid state change (no melting) due to heat, pressure, hot fluids
Are anions or cations larger, and why?
Anions are larger because extra electrons pull on electron less, allowing it to move further from the nucleus
Cations are smaller because fewer electrons make the remaining ones pack together tightly, close to nucleus
Crystal
any solid body that grows with planar surfaces
Crystal faces
planar surfaces that bound a crystal
Crystal form
geometric arrangement of crystal faces; interfacial angles are constant
Growth Habit
characteristic crystal form of each mineral
Luster
the quality and intensity of light reflected from a mineral
Main types of luster
Metallic: polished metal
Vitreous: glass
Resinous: like resin
Pearly: shiny
Greasy: like surface covered by film of oil
Color
determined by chemical composition, but due to ionic substitution, can be misleading for identifying minerals
Streak
color of mineral scratched on an unglazed porcelain plate
Break Cleavage
mineral tendency to break in preferred directions along planar surfaces; crystal tends to break along smooth planar surfaces
Hardness
a mineral’s relative resistance to scratching
High density
atoms are closely packed together