Download Minerals - West Ada

Minerals
CHARACTERISTICS, IDENTIFYING, HOW DO MINERALS FORM?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSzlxeNCBk
Mineral
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Occurs naturally
Is a solid
Has a definite chemical
composition
Is inorganic
Has a crystalline formation
Ex. Quartz, halite, mica, Gold,
diamonds
Non-minerals on
earth
Ex. Water, glass, pearls, coal
How do atoms of different minerals stay
together- let’s review!

Electric attraction



Ion


Atoms in their normal state have an
equal # of protons & electrons.
Said to be “stable”
An atom that gains or loses one or
more electrons becoming either
more positively or negatively
charged
Since opposite charges attract, ions
of opposite charges may bond
together to form a
compound/mineral.
Crystal
•
•
•
A regular geometric
solid with smooth
surfaces called crystal
faces
Crystal angles and
number of faces can
help identify a mineral.
6 basic crystal shapes
occur
How can minerals form?
1) Crystallization of melted materials
2) Crystallization of materials dissolved in
water
3) Heat/Pressure
4) Evaporation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY32prGn6B8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHPOp69SO9E
Minerals from magma

As magma and lava cool
to a solid, a crystal
formation can occur.

Speed of cooling, chemical
composition and amount
of gas affect the size of the
crystal.
Minerals from Hot Water Solutions
 When
a hot water
solution cools the
elements and
compounds crystallize
to form minerals.
Minerals formed by evaporation
 When
a solution
evaporates and
leaves crystal
formations behind.
Idaho mining
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQsKRWiyuE&index=11&list=PLAcEE2_MSGW5qbVOzP7qPZJ2fn1
1disXT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RZMXd4IAb0
How do we identify individual minerals?
1) Mohs hardness scale
Ranks mineral hardness
from 1-10
 Scratch test

2) Color
3) Streak
 The
color of a
mineral’s powder
 Rub
the mineral
along a “streak
plate.”
4) Luster
 Is
it shiny???
 Does it reflect light?
5) Density
6) Crystal systems

6 groups based on # of faces
and angles
7) Cleavage and Fracture


How a mineral looks when
broken- Cleavage
Fracture means no
cleavage – no definite
shape (quartz)
8) Special properties
 Fluorescence
 Taste
 Magnetism
 Smell
(odor)
 Radioactive