Minerals Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid that can form by inorganic processes and has a crystal structure and definite chemical composition
How does a mineral form?
A mineral forms through natural processes
For example, gypsum forms naturally from chemical elements that precipitate from water
Is a mineral:
1. A solid
2. A liquid
3. A gas
A mineral is always a a solid
A solid has a definite volume and shape, the particles in a solid are packed tightly together
All minerals must form by ___________
Inorganic process.
An inorganic process means that it forms from materials that were not part of a living thing
What is the crystal structure of a mineral?
The particles of a mineral line up in a pattern that repeats
The repeating pattern of a minerals particles forms a solid called a crystal
A mineral has a _________
Definite chemical composition
This means that it always contains the same elements in certain proportions. Gypsum always contains calcium, oxygen, sulfur, and hydrogen.
What is Luster
Identifying minerals
Luster is the term that describes how light reflects from a minerals surface
What is the streak?
identifying minerals
The streak of a mineral is the color of its powder
What is the Color?
Identifying minerals
Minerals come in many colors, however only a few minerals have thier own characteristic color
Density
Identifying minerals
Each mineral has a characteristic density, or mass in a given volume.
To calculate density, use this formula:
Density = Mass/Volume
Cleavage
Identifying minerals
A mineral that splits easily along flat surfaces has a property called cleavege
Whether a mineral has cleavage depends on how the atoms in its crystals are arragned
What is a fracture
Identifying minerals
A fracture describes how a mineral looks when It breaks apart in an irregular way
Most minerals have this property
Special Properties
Identifying minerals
Some minerals can be identified by special physical properties
For example, calcit bends light to produce double images, other minerals conduct electritcty, glow when places under ultraviolet light, or are magnetic
Crystal Structure
Identifying minerals
Geologists classify crystals by the number of faces (sides), on the crystal and the angles at which the faces meet
All the crystals of a mineral have the same crystal structure. Different minerals have crystals that are shaped differently
One way minerals can form is through ____________
Crystallization of magma and lava or precipitation of minerals dissolved in water
Hardness
Identifying minerals
The Mohs hardness scale is used to rank the hardness of minerals, from 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest
A mineral can scratch any mineral softer than itself but can be scratched by any mineral that is harder
All minerals can form by inorganic processes. However, many ________ can also form minerals
organic processes
For example, animals such as cows and humans produce skeletons made of the mineral calcium phosphate
What is the energy used to drive the process of mineral formation?
The sun and the plants that use its energy
What happens to elements and compounds that form minerals when they dissolve in water?
They form solutions
This process allows for the transport of minerals in aqueous environments.
What energy source causes water to evaporate on Earth’s surface?
Energy from the sun
This evaporation process can leave behind mineral deposits.
What conditions allow water below the Earth’s surface to pick up elements and compounds?
Intense pressure and high temperatures
These conditions facilitate the solubility of minerals in water.
What occurs when elements and compounds leave water through precipitation?
Crystallization can occur
This process leads to the formation of solid mineral structures.
