Major Mineral Groups
The largest group of minerals is the silicates, which contain silicon and oxygen. The next
largest group is the carbonates, which contain carbon and oxygen. Another important group is
the oxides, which contain oxygen combined with element other than silicon or carbon.
Part One: Complete the chart by identifying the elements present and the mineral group.
Mineral
ex. Hematite (Fe2O3
Calcite (CaCO3)
Elements Present
Iron, Oxygen
Mineral Group
Oxide
Olivine (Mg2SiO4)
Dolomite (MgCO3)
Quartz (SiO2)
Garnet (Mg3Al2Si3O12)
Corundum (Al2O3)
Magnetite (Fe2O4)
Feldspar (KAlSi3O8)
Part II. Questions
1. What element is present in each of the minerals listed? _________________
2. Which two minerals are identical in composition except for the number of
atoms present? _________________ and _____________________
3. Are any of these minerals single elements? ______ Give 2 examples of a
mineral that is a single element: ____________________________________
4. According to the data in the chart, what is the most common element in the
earth’s crust? ___________________ Second most abundant? _____________
5. Halite (NaCl) is not a silicate, carbonate or an oxide. Why not?
Major Mineral Groups (Key)
The largest group of minerals is the silicates, which contain silicon and oxygen. The next
largest group is the carbonates, which contain carbon and oxygen. Another important group is
the oxides, which contain oxygen combined with element other than silicon or carbon.
Part One: Complete the chart by identifying the elements present and the mineral group.
Mineral
ex. Hematite (Fe2O3
Calcite (CaCO3)
Olivine (Mg2SiO4)
Dolomite (MgCO3)
Quartz (SiO2)
Garnet (Mg3Al2Si3O12)
Corundum (Al2O3)
Magnetite (Fe2O4)
Feldspar (KAlSi3O8)
Elements Present
Iron, Oxygen
calcium, carbon, oxygen
magnesium, silicon, oxygen
magnesium, carbon,
oxygen
silicon, oxygen
magnesium, aluminum,
silicon, oxygen
aluminum, oxygen
iron, oxgyen
potassium, aluminum,
silicon, oxygen
Mineral Group
Oxide
carbonate
silicate
carbonate
silicate
silicate
oxide
oxide
silicate
Part II. Questions
1. What element is present in each of the minerals listed? oxygen
2. Which two minerals are identical in composition except for the number of
atoms present? hematite and magnetite
3. Are any of these minerals single elements? no Give 2 examples of a mineral
that is a single element: accept: gold, silver, sulfur, copper, platinum, etc
4. According to the data in the chart, what is the most common element in the
earth’s crust? oxygen Second most abundant? silicon
5. Halite (NaCl) is not a silicate, carbonate or an oxide. Why not? does not have
silicon, carbon or oxygen in it