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What is a Mineral?

SolidCannot be a liquid or a gas

Naturally OccurringFound in nature, not man-made

InorganicIs not alive and never was, non-living

Fixed compositionHas a chemical formula, most are formed from compounds

of two or more elements, some minerals consist of one element ex. Au

Crystal FormA definite structure in which atoms are arranged

What is a mineral?

Is it non-living material?Is it a solid?Is it formed in nature?Does it have a crystalline structure?

Questions to ask yourself when determining if an item is a mineral or not:

The next few slide shows an assortment of items.

As a group, categorize the items as either:Minerals or Non-Minerals.

Gold

Fossil

Topaz

Bones

Granite

Quartz

Pearls

Talc

Icebergs

Diamond

Coal

Rock Salt

And the answers are…Minerals

a) Goldb) Topazc) Quartzd) Talce) Iceberg*f) Diamonds

Non-Minerals

a) Wood - once livingb) Fossils – once livingc) Bone - living materiald) Granite - intrusive igneous

rock e) Pearls – made by oystersf) Coal - Sedimentary rockg) Rock Salt – Sedimentary rock

According to IMA – ice is listed as a mineral

A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure.

What is a mineral?