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Minerals: Properties and Formation

Explore the main characteristics of minerals, their formation processes, and how properties like color, luster, hardness, and cleavage help identify them. Learn about the diverse groups of minerals and their unique properties. Discover the fascinating world of minerals and their role in Earth's geology.

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Minerals: Properties and Formation

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  1. Minerals Chapter 4 Section 1&2 EQ: What are the main characteristics of a mineral? What properties are used to identify minerals?

  2. What is a Mineral? • Naturally-formed solid substance with a crystal structure Pyromorphite

  3. What do all minerals have in common? All: • Are formed by natural processes. • Inorganic- Never alive or made from living things. • Have a definite volume and shape • Solids with a unique chemical makeup • Are made up of particles that are arranged in a pattern that is repeated over and over (called a CRYSTAL)

  4. Groups of Minerals • Minerals are grouped by the elements they are made of. Beryl (Emerald) Calcite Amethyst

  5. MICA Quartz

  6. Silver Copper Diamond Gold Iron Ruby

  7. Calcite with Duftite inclusions

  8. BariteBaSo4 Barite on CalciteBaSo4 / CaCO3

  9. How do minerals form? • 1) Cooling of magma (hot, liquid rock and minerals inside the earth (from the mantle)) • Fast Cooling = No Crystals (mineraloids) • Medium Cooling = small crystals • Slow Cooling = large crystals

  10. How do minerals form? • 2) Elements dissolved in liquids (usually water)

  11. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Color • Can be misleading • Can vary with the type of impurities

  12. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Luster • Surface reflection • metallic = shiny like metal • non-metallic = dull, non-shiny surface Pyrite has a metallic luster Calcite has a non-metallic luster

  13. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Streak • The color of the powdered form of the mineral • The color of the streak can be different than the mineral • Minerals must be softer than the streak plate

  14. Streak…can help identify quartz BUT... http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b3.html

  15. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Hardness • How easily a mineral scratches materials • Mohs Hardness Scale • Scale from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) • Test by seeing if the mineral can scratch different objects (like human fingernail, copper, penny, glass, steel file)

  16. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Cleavage & Fracture • The way the mineral breaks • Cleavage—minerals break along smooth, flat surfaces and every fragment has the same general shape • Fracture—minerals that break at random with rough or jagged edges

  17. 1. 4. 3. 2. Cleavage or Fracture?

  18. Physical Properties of Minerals(can be used to identify the mineral) Other Properties • Specific gravity (*excellent clue to mineral’s identity) • Attraction to magnets • Bending of light • Reaction with hydrochloric acid • Smell & taste http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b4.html

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