Question

classify and explain different types of minerals give Four examples

Answer 1

Minerals, being natural chemicals, are classified according to their chemistry and crystal form.

A basic classification for minerals is:

Native elements. eg. Gold, Silver, Mercury, graphite, diamond.
Oxides. eg corundum (incl. sapphire), hematite, spinel.
Hydroxides. eg. Goethite, brucite.
Sulfides. eg. Pyrite, galena, sphalerite.
Sulfates. eg. Baryte, gypsum.
Carbonates. eg. Calcite, magnesite, dolomite.
Phosphates. eg. Apatite, monazite.
Halides. eg. Fluorite, halite (rock salt).
Silicates (most common)
Orthosilicates. eg. Garnet, olivine.
Ring silicates. eg. Tourmaline, beryl.
Chain silicates. eg. Pyroxenes, amphiboles.
Sheet silicates. eg. Muscovite mica, biotite mica, clay minerals
Framework silicates. eg. Quartz, feldspars, zeolites
Identification
Identifying common minerals can usually be accomplished by examining a hand specimen. Minerals have distinct physical properties such as specific gravity, streak, and form which can easily distinguish the major rock-forming minerals.

More detailed examination of minerals can be undertaken by examining a microscope thin section of a rock or mineral. The optical properties of each mineral are unique, and minerals can be readily identified in thin section. More accurate analysis of minerals can be undertaken with a variety of analytical machines. These include X-ray diffraction, microprobe analysis, mass spectrometry and more. The science of minerals is called Mineralogy.

Minerals make up most of the earth and are an important part of our everyday life.

Minerals are simply naturally occurring substances which have a crystalline structure. There are many thousands of minerals recognised, but only about 30 are most common.