Download Bellringer 1. Look at the 3 pictures. List as many

Are
1
Bell-Ringer
/30Why?
these
all crystals?
A
B
C
D
Minerals
and how they form
• Geology:
The study of the earth,
what it is made of, and how
it works
Why do we study
Minerals?



Minerals are the starting
point for all geologic
formations and activity
Rocks are made of them
Rocks and molten rock
(lava, magma) are what
shape the surface of our
planet!!!
Minerals: What Are They?
1. Solid
2. Definite chemical composition
• Elements are in specific amounts.
3. Crystalline
• Has atoms that are in a repeating pattern.
• Pattern may be simple or complex.
4. Abiotic
• Naturally occurring, but not a product of
any living process.
Minerals Can Be Elements or
 The 8 most common
Compounds
elements in minerals:
Oxygen (O)
 Silicon (Si)
 Aluminum (Al)
 Iron (Fe)
 Most minerals are compounds
 Calcium (Ca)
made from different elements Sodium (Na)
in the crust.
 Potassium (K)
 Magnesium (Mg)

Single elements that are also
minerals are called “native
elements” .

How Minerals Form

1.
2.
3.
Minerals form in 3
ways in nature:
The cooling and
hardening of magma.
When water containing
dissolved ions
evaporates.
Sustained pressure,
heat, or chemical
action can change
minerals into other
minerals.
Mineral’s Crystalline Structure
• All minerals are crystalline.
• This means that all of their atoms are
arranged in a repeating pattern.
• This
Thesemeans
can be
used
a mineral
that
all to
of identify
their atoms
are
in a repeating
pattern.
• arranged
This is because
the pattern
controls the way
This
means
that and
all ofbreaks.
their atoms are
a mineral
forms
a repeating
pattern.
• arranged
There areinseven
crystal lattice
systems in
which the atoms can be arranged.
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems: #1


Cubic System:
3 axes of equal length that
intersect at right angles
(90◦)
Examples
- Halite (Rock Salt)
- Galena
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems #2


Orthorhombic System:
Three axes of different
length that intersect at 90
degree angles.
Examples:


Sulfur
Topaz
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems #3


Tetragonal System:
Three axes, 2 of the
same length, one of
different length.
Examples:
 Wulfenite
 Chalcopyrite
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems #4


Monoclinic System:
Three unequal axes, two
intersect at 90 degrees, the
third is oblique to the other
two.
Example:


Gypsum
Borax
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems #5


Triclinic System:
Three axes of unequal
length that intersect at
oblique angles.
Example:


Turquoise
Microcline
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems #6


Hexagonal System:
Three horizontal axes
that are the same length,
and a vertical axis that is
longer than the horizontal
axes.
Example:
 Quartz
 Graphite
The 7 Crystal Lattice Systems #7
Rhombohedral System:
 Three axes that are the
same length, all at
oblique angles.
 Example:
 Ilmenite
 Dolomite
 Gratonite