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Understanding Minerals: Characteristics, Formation Processes, and Major Groups

Explore the fascinating world of minerals, their defining characteristics, and formation processes. Minerals are naturally occurring solids with an orderly crystalline structure, definite chemical composition, and are generally inorganic. Discover the four primary processes of mineral formation, including crystallization from magma, precipitation, pressure and temperature changes, and hydrothermal solutions. Learn about the six major mineral groups: silicates, carbonates, oxides, sulfates and sulfides, halides, and native elements. Each group plays a vital role in Earth's geology and composition.

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Understanding Minerals: Characteristics, Formation Processes, and Major Groups

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  1. Minerals

  2. 5 characteristics 1. Naturally occurring 2. Solid 3. Orderly crystalline structure 4. Definite chemical composition 5. Generally inorganic

  3. Mineral Formation - Four Major Processes 1.Crystallization from magma • first minerals to crystallize are those rich in Iron, Calciumand Magnesium • as minerals form the composition of magma changes and minerals rich in Sodium, Potassium, and aluminum then form

  4. 2. Precipitation • occurs when water evaporates • Changes in water temp. also causes minerals to be left behind, called precipitates • 2 example s are Limestone and Halite

  5. 3. Pressure and Temperature • formed when existing minerals are subject to Pressure and Temperature • Pressure causes atoms to rearrange in a more compact form • Temperature causes some minerals to become unstable the new mineral are now stable

  6. 4. Hydrothermal solutions • a very hot solution of water and dissolved substances • hydrothermal solution have temperature between 100 and 300 degrees Celsius • a chemical reaction causes new minerals to form

  7. Mineral Groups • 6 major groups of minerals based on chemical composition

  8. Silicates – most common • formed from Silicon and Oxygen • 1 Silicon atom and 4 oxygen atoms form the shape of a Tetrahedron. • This is the framework for all silicates

  9. Silicon – Oxygen tetrahedron can be joined in many configurations • Single - tetrahedral (ex: olivine) • Single chain (ex: augite) • Double chain (ex: Hornblende) • Sheets (ex: micas) • 3D framework (ex: quartz and feldspar) • Formation occurs when magma cools • Place and chemical composition determine structure

  10. Carbonates – 2nd most common • contain the elements Carbon, Oxygen and 1 other metallic element • most common carbonate is Calcite • examples of carbonates are Dolomite

  11. Oxides • minerals that contain Oxygen and 1 other element • examples of oxides are Rutile, Corundum, Hematite • various ways of forming: Temperature, Pressure, exposure to water, moisture in the air

  12. Sulfates and Sulfides • contain the element Sulfur • examples of sulfates and sulfides are anhydrite, gypsum • various ways of forming: evaporating mineral rich water (precip), and hydrothermal solutions

  13. Halides • contain a halogen • Halogens are in group 17 of the Periodic Table • examples of halogen are halite, fluorite

  14. Native Elements • a. minerals that contain only 1 element • b. examples of native elements are gold, silver, graphite

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