Minerals

=﻿ Minerals =

What is a Mineral?
== A mineral is a naturally occuring solid formed through geologic processes. Minerals have a definite chemical composition, a highly ordered atomic structure, and each has specific physical properties. ==

How to Identify a Mineral?
Minerals can be identified based on their properties.

__Mineral Properties__: __Hardness__ - The physical hardness of the minerals. It is measured on Moh's scale of hardness 1-10. Talc is a one on Moh's scale as the softest and diamond is a ten as the hardest mineral. __Luster__ - Metallic or non-metallic surface __Metallic__- Very shiny and highly reflective surface. Ex. galena, gold, silver __Sub-Metallic__- Shiny but not as much as metallic. __ Non-Metallic Surfaces __ __Vitreous__- Glassy surface Ex. quartz __Earthy__-Very dull surface Ex. orthoclase, kaolinite

__Color__- The physical color of the surface __Streak__-The color of a mineral when it is in powder form. __Cleavage/Fracture__- Breakage of a mineral along planes of weakness in crystal structue. If the mineral breaks with planes it has cleavage and if it breaks with no planes it has fracture. __Specific Gravity__- comparison of it's denisty to that of water. Found by displacing water.

growing crystals crystal systems hardness luster streak color cleavage/fracture

mineral families

[] [] what minerals are used for

mineral example