Atoms to Minerals
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
What is matter?
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Matter is anything that has mass
and volume
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
• We can classify matter by using
the Periodic Table
• Matter falls under 3
classifications on the periodic
table. What are these?
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
• Metal: shiny, ductile, conducts
electricity
• Non-metal: dull, does not conduct
electricity
• Metalloid: Shares properties of both
metal and non-metal
• Elements are classified according to
their place on the Periodic Table.
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Structure of the Atom
• Nucleus: This contains positively
charged protons and neutrally
charged neutrons.
• Electrons: These surround the
nucleus in an electron cloud and
are negatively charged.
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Structure of the Atom
• The atomic number, or identity of
the atom, is determined by the
number of PROTONS!
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Structure of the Atom
• Isotopes are atoms with usually
more neutrons than protons.
• The mass number equals the
sum of protons plus neutrons.
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Structure of the Atom
• Ions are formed when the
number of electrons is either
more or less than the number of
protons.
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Bonding of Atoms
• A compound is a substance with
two or more elements.
• Example is table salt or Sodium
Chloride (NaCl)
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Bonding of Atoms
• A covalent bond is when two
atoms share electrons.
• A molecule is formed by covalent
bonding of two or more atoms.
Section 5.1: Matter and Atoms
Bonding of Atoms
• An ionic bond is when atoms
are held together by electrical
attraction.
Warm up Assignment for Discussion
• On a separate piece of paper,
brainstorm a list of all the things
you use in a day that require
natural resources to make.
• Tell me which of these items
include mineral resources.
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
Why should we care about minerals? What
do we use them for and what is our
impact on the planet by using them?
What is the basic chemistry of the Earth’s Crust?
Other, 1.5%
Common Elements of Earth's Crust
Mg, 2.1%
K, 2.6%
Na, 2.8%
Ca, 3.6%
Fe, 5.0%
Al, 8.1%
O, 46.6%
Si, 27.7%
O
Si
Al
Fe
Ca
Na
K
Mg
Other
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
What is a mineral?
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
1. It occurs naturally.
2. It is solid.
3. It has a chemical composition.
4. It’s atoms are arranged in an
orderly pattern (crystal
structure).
5. It is inorganic (not alive).
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
How do minerals form?
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
How do minerals form?
1. By the Crystallization of Magma as it cools. Crystals
form over long periods of slow cooling of magma.
2. By the pressure process as minerals are converted
to other minerals by great amounts of heat and
pressure.
3. By the evaporation of mineral-rich water. This is how
geodes and the Cavern of Crystal Giants formed.
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
Silicate Structures and Animations: The
Silica Tetrahedron
Four Oxygen atoms combine with one Silicon by
covalent bonding of atoms
Structure of Graphite vs. Diamond
Diamond
Graphite
Both graphite and diamond are made of pure carbon, but diamond
is much harder due to its tetrahedral structure. Graphite forms in
carbon sheet structures. This allows it to be soft and flaky. This is
good for use in pencils and lubrication for lock cores. Diamond is
used in industrial purposes for saw blades and abrasives. It is also
used as bling bling for jewelry!
Structure of Graphite vs. Diamond
Diamond
Graphite
Both graphite and diamond are made of pure carbon, but diamond
is much harder due to its tetrahedral structure. Graphite forms in
carbon sheet structures. This allows it to be soft and flaky. This is
good for use in pencils and lubrication for lock cores. Diamond is
used in industrial purposes for saw blades and abrasives. It is also
used as bling bling for jewelry!
Section 5.3: Identifying Minerals
On to the Mineral Identification
Lab!
Mohs Scale of Hardness
Rating
1
2
3
4
5
6
Reference Mineral
Talc (easily scratched by fingernail)
Gypsum (scratched by fingernail)
Calcite (barely scratched by penny)
Fluorite (scratched by glass)
Apatite (scratched by glass)
Potassium Feldspar
(scratches glass, but not steel nail)
7
8
9
10
Quartz (scratches glass and steel)
Topaz (scratches quartz)
Corundum (scratches topaz)
Diamond (scratches everything)
Reference Tool
Fingernail (2.5)
Copper Penny (3.5)
Glass Plate (5.5)
Steel File (6.5)
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Silicates
• 90% of the Minerals in
Earth’s crust are
silicates.
• A silicate is a
compound of Silicon,
Oxygen, and one or
more metallic
elements.
Quartz (SiO2)
Orthoclase Feldspar (KAlSi3O8)
Section 5.2: Composition and
Structure of Minerals
Silicate Structures and Animations: The
Silica Tetrahedron
Four Oxygen atoms combine with one Silicon by
covalent bonding of atoms
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Carbonates
• Positive metal ion
combined with a
negative Carbonate
(CO3 2-) ion.
• Fizzes with
Hydrochloric Acid
Calcite (CaCO3)
Malachite (CaCO3)
Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Halides
• Group of minerals
that contains one of
the halogen
elements (F, Cl, Br,
I) as a building
block
Fluorite (CaF2)
Halite (NaCl)
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Native Elements
• Elements that
are by
themselves on
the Periodic
Table
Diamond (C)
Gold (Au)
Sulfur (S)
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Oxides
• Metal element
combined with
oxygen
• Valuable for their
economic and
industrial importance
Hematite (Fe2O3)
Magnetite (Fe3O4)
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Sulfates
• Compounds containing
the sulfate group (SO42-)
• Gypsum valuable for its
industrial importance in
construction (wallboard)
• Barite useful as main
ore of Barium (used for
barium contrast for Xray machines)
Gypsum
(CaSO4*2H2O)
Barite (BaSO4)
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
Sulfides
• Metal element
combined with sulfur.
• When Hydrochloric
Acid is poured on
Galena, hydrogen
sulfide gas (used to
make stink bombs) is
produced! Yuck!
Pyrite (FeS2)
Galena (PbS)
Section 5.4: Mineral Groups
•
Phosphates
•
Minerals that have
phosphate (PO4)3- in their
chemical formula
•
Turquoise used for
centuries by Egyptians and
Native Americans for
jewelry
Apatite is the main source
of the phosphorous
nutrient for plants. Your
bones and teeth are made
of the same substance as
apatite!
Turquoise
(CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8*5(H2O))
Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH) )