Four Characteristics of Minerals
1. The four characteristics of Minerals:
 Forms in nature
 Is a solid
 Has a definite chemical make up
 Has a crystal structure
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Rocks have only two characteristics they are solid and form naturally.
Rocks contain two or more types of minerals.
Rocks are related to minerals because they contain minerals.
Minerals are formed by natural processes.
Halite is table salt which is a mineral.
Talc is baby powder which is a mineral.
A rock that contains more than one mineral has different colors.
Minerals differ in appearance by color and texture.
Minerals are solids.
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Mineral is a solid.
Have a definite volume and a ridge shape.
Volume – amount of space that is taken up by an object
If liquids or gases can be changed into a solid form; it can be a mineral.
Definite Chemical Makeup
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Specific combination of atoms and elements.
Atoms are the smallest particles an element can be divided into.
Most minerals are compound, substance consisting of several elements in specific
proportions.
Halite for ever one atom of sodium there is one atom of chlorine.
Important on the way atoms are joined, combined, or bonded.
Crystal Structure:
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A crystal is a solid in which the atoms are arranged orderly.
Each mineral has its own type of crystal structure.
Diamond and graphite consist of one element of carbon.
Diamonds are hard and sparkles
Graphite is soft, gray, and dull.
Diamonds have a different structure than graphite.
Perfect crystals are rare. Due to its need for open spaces to form properly.
The amount of space influences the shapes and sizes of crystals.
Minerals are grouped according to composition:
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Minerals grouped based on chemical makeup
Most common mineral group is silicates
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All silicates contain oxygen and silicon
The two most common elements in Earth’s crust is oxygen and silicate
30 most common minerals in Earth’s Crust
Silicate makes up 90% of rocks on the Earth’s surface.
30 most common minerals are known as the rock forming minerals
most common silicates are quartz, feldspar, and mica
Second most common rock-forming mineral group is carbonates
All carbonates have oxygen and carbon
Calcite most common carbonate found in seashells
Oxides contain minerals from which most minerals are refined such as tin and
copper.
Oxides are when metal is joined to an oxygen
Hematite is a source of iron.