mineral Chapter 3 element Chapter 3 atom Chapter 3 nucleus Chapter 3 proton Chapter 3 neutron Chapter 3 electron Chapter 3 Chapter 3 atomic number Chapter 3 electron shell atomic mass number Chapter 3 bonding Chapter 3 compound Chapter 3 ion Chapter 3 ionic bond Chapter 3 covalent bond Chapter 3 crystalline solid Chapter 3 crystal Chapter 3 Chapter 3 silica Chapter 3 silicate silica tetrahedron Chapter 3 ferromagnesian silicate Chapter 3 nonferromagnesian silicate Chapter 3 carbonate mineral Chapter 3 luster Chapter 3 cleavage Chapter 3 hardness Chapter 3 specific gravity Chapter 3 Chapter 3 rock Chapter 3 density rock‐forming mineral Chapter 3 resource Chapter 3 reserve Chapter 3 A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid that has characteristic physical properties and a narrowly defined chemical composition. A substance composed of atoms that all have the same properties; atoms of one element can change to atoms of another element by radioactive decay, but otherwise they cannot be changed by ordinary chemical means. The smallest unit of matter that retains the characteristics of an element. The central part of an atom consisting of protons and neutrons. A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom. An electrically neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom. A negatively charged particle of very little mass that encircles the nucleus of an atom. Electrons orbit an atom’s nucleus at specific distances in electron shells. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. The process whereby atoms join to other atoms. Any substance resulting from the bonding of two or more different elements (e.g., water, H2O, and quartz, SiO2). An electrically charged atom produced by adding or removing electrons from the outermost electron shell. A chemical bond resulting from the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions. A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. A solid in which the constituent atoms are arranged in a regular, three‐
dimensional framework. A naturally occurring solid of an element or compound with a specific internal structure that is manifested externally by planar faces, sharp corners, and straight edges. A mineral that contains silica, such as quartz (SiO2). A compound of silicon and oxygen. The basic building block of all silicate minerals; consists of one silicon atom and four oxygen atoms. Any silicate mineral that contains iron, magnesium, or both. A silicate mineral that has no iron or magnesium. A mineral with the carbonate radical (CO3)_2, as in calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2]. The appearance of a mineral in reflected light. Luster is metallic or nonmetallic, although the latter has several subcategories. Breakage along internal planes of weakness in mineral crystals. A term used to express the resistance of a mineral to abrasion. The ratio of a substance’s weight, especially a mineral, to an equal volume of water at 4°C. The mass of an object per unit volume; usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3). A solid aggregate of one or more minerals, as in limestone and granite, or a consolidated aggregate of rock fragments, as in conglomerate, or masses of rocklike materials, such as coal and obsidian. Any mineral common in rocks that is important in their identification and classification. A concentration of naturally occurring solid, liquid, or gaseous material in or on Earth’s crust in such form and amount that economic extraction of a commodity from the concentration is currently or potentially feasible. The part of the resource base that can be extracted economically.