What are minerals and how do they form? Flashcards
What’s an element?
A substance where matter can be seperated
What’s an atom?
Smallest particle that retains the properties of an element
What’s a compound?
A homogeneous substance with atoms or ions of 2 or more different elements
What’s a molecule?
Chemical units that contains specific properties for specific compounds
What does an atom contain?
Electrons, neutrons, and protons
What’s an isotope?
Where there are more neutrons than protons
Can compounds be separated?
No by physical means
How are molecules formed?
When 2 or more atoms or ions of the same or different elements form
How are minerals formed?
In a cooling melt with molecules of the same type
How are rocks formed?
In a cooling melt minerals that form under similar conditions as minerals will combine together
Why are minerals compounds?
Because minerals contain 2 or more different elements
Why does mineral formation happen?
In a molten system atoms move at a rapid speed but when it cool, energy declines, and atoms seek to combine with other atoms
What’s a mineral?
A naturally occurring, crystalline, inorganic, definite composition with properties substance
What does the crystal structure depend on?
The regular arrangement
What does crystalline mean?
Arranged in a very distinct order
What does inorganic mean?
Not produced or not related to life
How are minerals classified?
Dana System; based son major anion group
Do all minerals form crystals?
No
What does it mean when a mineral is hard?
The composite is tight and has the resistance to scratching
List the physical properties.
Color, cleavage, shape, hardness, luster, streak color, fracture, specific gravity, and other specific properties
What’s cleavage?
Tendency to break in one or more direction, leaving smooth, flat, shiny surfaces
How is cleavage determined?
By the molecular structure
Where does cleavage take place?
Parallel to the molecular planes
Is color a always a good guide? and why?
No, because any mineral can become any color if something goes through the holes
