Structure of minerals

Minerals consist of an orderly array of atoms chemically bonded to form a particular crystalline structure; for ionic compounds, the internal atomic arrangement is primarily determined by the size of ions involved

Rock forming minerals

Common minerals that make up most of the tocks of the earths crust; only a few dozen members; composed mainly of the eight elements that make up over 98% of the continental crust.

Most important mineral group; comprise most of the rock-forming minerals; very abundant due to large amounts of silicon and oxygen in earths crust

Single tetrahedra are linked together to form various structures including isolated tetrahedra, ring structures, single and double chain structures, sheet or layered structures, and complex 3D structures

Common silicate minerals

Olivine, feldspar, pyroxene, amphibole, mica

Non-silicate minerals

Oxides, sulfides, sulfates, carbonates, halides, phosphates

The endowment of useful minerals ultimately available commercially; mineral resources include already identified deposits and known deposits that are not yet economically or technologically recoverable.

A useful metallic mineral that can be mined at a profit; must be concentrated above its average crustal abundance; profitably may change because of economic changes

Two or more minerals with the same chemical composition but different crystalline structures

External expression of the orderly internal arrangement of atoms; often interrupted because of competition for space and rapid loss of heat.

Appearance of a mineral; two basic categories -- metallic or non metallic; other terms include vitreous, silky, earthy

Generally an unreliable diagnostic property to use for mineral identification; often highly variable for a given mineral due to slight changes in mineral chemistry

Color of a mineral in its powdered form; helpful in distinguishing different forms of the same mineral

Resistance of a mineral to abrasion on scratching; all minerals are compared to a standard scale called the MOHs scale of hardness

Tendency to break along planes of weak bonding; produces flat, shines surfaces; described by resulting geometric shapes -- number of planes, angles between adjacent planes

Absence of cleavage when a mineral is broken

Ratio at the weight of a mineral to the weight of an equal volume of water; water is approximately 2.7

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Rocks and minerals

Structure, physical properties

Term	Definition
Structure of minerals	Minerals consist of an orderly array of atoms chemically bonded to form a particular crystalline structure; for ionic compounds, the internal atomic arrangement is primarily determined by the size of ions involved
Rock forming minerals	Common minerals that make up most of the tocks of the earths crust; only a few dozen members; composed mainly of the eight elements that make up over 98% of the continental crust.
Silicates	Most important mineral group; comprise most of the rock-forming minerals; very abundant due to large amounts of silicon and oxygen in earths crust
Silicate structure	Single tetrahedra are linked together to form various structures including isolated tetrahedra, ring structures, single and double chain structures, sheet or layered structures, and complex 3D structures
Common silicate minerals	Olivine, feldspar, pyroxene, amphibole, mica
Non-silicate minerals	Oxides, sulfides, sulfates, carbonates, halides, phosphates
Mineral resources	The endowment of useful minerals ultimately available commercially; mineral resources include already identified deposits and known deposits that are not yet economically or technologically recoverable.
Ore	A useful metallic mineral that can be mined at a profit; must be concentrated above its average crustal abundance; profitably may change because of economic changes
Polymorphs	Two or more minerals with the same chemical composition but different crystalline structures
Crystal form	External expression of the orderly internal arrangement of atoms; often interrupted because of competition for space and rapid loss of heat.
Luster	Appearance of a mineral; two basic categories -- metallic or non metallic; other terms include vitreous, silky, earthy
Color	Generally an unreliable diagnostic property to use for mineral identification; often highly variable for a given mineral due to slight changes in mineral chemistry
Streak	Color of a mineral in its powdered form; helpful in distinguishing different forms of the same mineral
Hardness	Resistance of a mineral to abrasion on scratching; all minerals are compared to a standard scale called the MOHs scale of hardness
Cleavage	Tendency to break along planes of weak bonding; produces flat, shines surfaces; described by resulting geometric shapes -- number of planes, angles between adjacent planes
Fracture	Absence of cleavage when a mineral is broken
Specific gravity	Ratio at the weight of a mineral to the weight of an equal volume of water; water is approximately 2.7

Created by: Eyork70

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