minerals the world beneath us. exactly what are minerals? minerals are naturally occurring solids...
TRANSCRIPT
MineralsMinerals
The world beneath usThe world beneath us
Exactly What are Minerals?Exactly What are Minerals?
• Minerals are naturally occurring solids with an orderly arrangement of atoms
Why are they important?Why are they important?
• Minerals can be mined for precious jewels or to make objects we use everyday
• Gems are highly prized minerals that are clearer and more colorful than common samples of that mineral.
Why are they important?Why are they important?
• Other minerals are ores from which elements like aluminum, iron, and titanium can be processed.
• An ore is a mineral or rock that contains a useful substance that can be mined for profit.
Ore ExamplesOre Examples
Bauxite - aluminum
Hematite - iron Ilmenite – titanium
How are they classified?How are they classified?
• Scientists classify minerals according to:– Hardness– Luster– Streak– Cleavage and Fracture
Hardness of Common Objects
Fingernail
Copper Penny
Iron Nail
Glass
Steel File
Streak Plate
Testing HardnessTesting Hardness
HardnessHardness
• Tells how easily a mineral can be scratched.
• Talc is the softest mineral,and so on the Mohs scale it receives a value of one
• Diamonds are the hardest mineral, and so on the Mohs scale it receives a value of 10
• Diamonds can only be scratched by other diamonds. They can also scratch glass.
LusterLuster• Is the way a mineral reflects light. A
mineral can be identified as:
– Dull
– Pearly – Silky
– Glassy
StreakStreak
• The color of a mineral when it is in a powdered form
Cleavage and FractureCleavage and Fracture
• This refers to the way a mineral breaks
– Cleavage – when minerals break along smooth, flat surfaces
– Fracture – when minerals break with uneven, rough, or jagged surfaces
CleavageCleavage
• Think of the layers in a cake
Mica