Define the term mineral and name the major classes of mineral with their physical charactersistics
Answers
A mineral is defined in part by a specific chemical composition. In theory, therefore, it is always easy to identify a mineral, if you can determine the chemical composition with a mass spectrometer like the Mars rovers.
Mineral Classes
1. Elements: Substances which occur in nature whose structure is made up of only a single type of atom which is 100% pure, containing no other substances.
2. Sulfides A group of minerals that are compounds of one or more metallic elements combined with the non-metallic element Sulfur.
3. Halides: A group of minerals containing one of the Halogen elements. The Halogen elements are: Bromine, Chlorine, Fluorine, and Iodine. These elements are used as building blocks.
4. Oxides and Hydroxides: They are a group of minerals that are compounds of one or more metallic elements combined with Oxygen, Water, or Hydroxyl.
5. Nitrates, Carbonates, Borates: A group of minerals that contain one or more metallic elements plus the Nitrate radical.
6. Sulfates: A group of minerals that contain one or more metallic elements in addition to the Sulfate radical. The Sulfates are transparent to translucent and soft.
7. Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates: A group of minerals that are compounds of one or more metallic elements associated with the Phosphate radical.
8. Silicates: A group of minerals containing various amounts of the elements Silicon and Oxygen. The Silicates are the largest group of minerals.
9. Non-minerals: These substances are naturally occuring in origin and composition. Some are inorganic rocks, or combinations of minerals, while others may be referred to as organic compounds.
Properties of Minerals
The following physical properties of minerals can be easily used to identify a mineral: Color
Streak
Hardness
Cleavage or Fracture
Crystalline Structure
Diaphaneity or Amount of Transparency
Tenacity
Magnetism
Luster
Odor
Taste
Specific Gravity
Explanation:
1) mineral -the naturally occuring compounds of elements are known as mineral