MINERALS & ROCKS

WHAT QUALITIES DEFINE A MINERAL?

In the area provided:

Draw, describe, OR provide an example of a mineral.
Provide a brief explanation if you choose drawings or examples
How could you test if something was a mineral?
Is there anything common to all minerals?
 MINERALS
I. A mineral is:
1. A naturally occurring,
2. Inorganic, (next silde)
3. Solid, (the slide after that)
4. That has a definite chemical composition, and
5. A definite crystal structure
1) Graphite – pencil lead, batteries
2) Sulfur – matches, fireworks
3) Talc – Powder, ceramics

 not minerals: cement, steel (man-made)

2. INORGANIC - NOT COMPOSED OF ORGANIC
MATTER; NOT FROM LIVING THINGS OR THE
REMAINS OF LIVING THINGS.

 Coal is NOT a mineral because it comes from plants

 Amber is NOT a mineral because it comes from tree
sap
 Pearls is NOT a mineral because it comes from
oysters
 SOLIDS
3. Have a definite volume and a definite shape.

 Stable and solid at room temperature

 Mercury is not a mineral because

it is liquid at room temperature
 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Silicate Minerals Non-silicate minerals
a) silicon and oxygen b) DO NOT contain SiO2
groupings; SiO2 1) subdivided into several
1) combined with one or more other classes
metals 2) Extremely rare
 Talc- Mg3Si4O10(OH)2  8% of the Earth's crust
2) Largest group of minerals 3) Few are relatively common
1) 90% of the earth's crust  calcite
 NON-SILICATE SUBDIVISIONS

a) Native Elements –elements found in nature in

their mineral form.
 gold (Au), sulfur (S), silver(Ag)
b) Sulfides – minerals that contain sulfur ions.
 Galena (PbS), Pyrite (FeS2)

d) Sulfates -  minerals which include the sulfate

ion (SO42-).
 Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O)
 NON-SILICATE SUBDIVISIONS

d) Oxides - minerals that contain oxygen bonded with

one or more metals
 Hematite (Fe2O3), Magnetite (Fe3O4)
 minerals containing (OH) are typically included in
this class. (hydroxides)
Portlandite (Ca(OH)2)
e) Halides - minerals with that contain Fluorine,
Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine ions.
 Halite (NaCl), Fluorite (CaF2)
 NON-SILICATE SUBDIVISIONS

f) Carbonates – minerals that contain a carbonate

ion, CO2−3.
 Calcite (CaCO3), Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2)

 Many more subdivisions; each with chemical similarities

 CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
1. The internal structure or arrangement of atoms
within a mineral

 Halite (NaCl)

2. Atoms/molecules are arranged in repeating

geometric patterns.
3. SIX BASIC CRYSTAL SYSTEMS
a) Cubic - Galena, Halite, Pyrite

b) Tetragonal – Chalcopyrite

c) Hexagonal - Quartz, Calcite

d) Orthorhombic - Olivine, Topaz

 SIX BASIC CRYSTAL SYSTEMS
e) Monoclinic – Mica, gypsum

f) Triclinic – Feldspar, Turquoise

 MINERAL FORMATION
4. Minerals form
a) When lava or magma cools to solidification

b) When water evaporates and leaves minerals remain

c) When water is supersaturated with a mineral; minerals

will settle out of the water and deposit as a precipitate.
 IDENTIFYING MINERALS
1. Minerals can be identified by their physical and
chemical characteristics.
a) Physical Properties:
Color
Streak
Luster
Hardness
Cleavage or Fracture
Density
b) Chemical Properties
Specific and unique for each mineral
 Determined by chemical composition and structure
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
2. Color: Not a reliable property; some minerals can be
many different colors.
a) Color may vary due to:
1) Natural coloring agents - impurities
2) Weathering; exposure to the environment
b) Malachite-green

c) Quartz-clear, purple, white, grey-brown…

d) Sulfur-yellow

e) Hematite-black, silver, reddish brown

 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
3. Streak: The color of the mineral in its
powdered form.
a)Determined by using a streak plate
1) Quartz: White/colorless
2) Hematite: reddish brown
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
4. Luster: The way a mineral shines/reflects light from
its surface.
a) Metallic: reflects light like the surface of a polished
metal
1) Galena, Pyrite, Graphite, Magnetite…
b) Non Metallic: reflects light in more subtle ways
1) Pearly-Mica
2) Glassy-Quartz
3) Dull/Earthy-Bauxite
4) Waxy-Talc
5) Brilliant-Diamond
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
5. Hardness: A measure c) When a mineral scratches
of how easily a mineral
a substance; it is harder
can be scratched.
than the substance
a) Determined by a
minerals internal
structure.
b) When a mineral is
scratched by a
substance; it is
softer than the
substance
TESTING HARDNESS
Mohs Hardness Scale
Hardness Name of Mineral

1 Talc
Common Objects
2 Gypsum
2.5 Fingernail
3 Calcite
3.5 Copper
4 Fluorite
4.5 Iron Nail
5 Apatite

6 Feldspar
5.5 Glass
7 Quartz 6.5 Steel File
8 Topaz 7 Streak Plate
9 Corundum

10 Diamond
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
6. Cleavage: When a mineral splits/breaks along
smooth flat surfaces
a) Mica - One direction; sheet
b) Galena – Three; cubic shape

a) Determined by atomic structure

of mineral
1) Cleavage is the way a mineral
breaks
2) Crystal Shape is the way
crystal grows
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
7. Fracture: When a mineral breaks unevenly into
curved or irregular pieces with a rough and
jagged surfaces.

a) Sulfur, bauxite, hematite, quartz

 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
8. Density or Heft: Minerals have different densities,
and vary in weight given the same sample size.
 How heavy the mineral feels in your hand
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
a) Effervescence
1) Calcite reacts with HCl; bubbles of CO2
b) Oxidation:
1) Reaction between Iron (Fe) and oxygen (O2).
a. Iron (Fe) + oxygen = Rust
Metal is weakened by change

2) Reaction between copper and air;

creates a greenish coating
a) Copper (Cu) + oxygen = copper oxide
1) metal is not weakened; pennies
 SPECIAL PROPERTIES
a) Lodestone-Magnetite; is naturally magnetic

b) Iceland Spar-Calcite; produces double refraction

c) Pitchblend; radioactive
WHAT WOULD IT FEEL LIKE TO BE A MINERAL
BEING TESTED?

In the area provided

Provide a written response to the question above
You may choose to write about two or more mineral tests

Include an answer to the following

By which mineral property would you want to be identified by? Why
 Which property would you not want? Why
 USES OF MINERALS
1. Ore - A mineral that contains metals and
nonmetals that can be mined and removed in
usable amounts; for a profit
a) Metals- elements that have a shiny surfaces, are able to
conduct heat and electricity, and are malleable.
1) Iron-Hematite/Magnetite
2) Aluminum-Bauxite
3) Copper-Chalcopyrite/Malachite
4) Gold-Gold
 USES OF MINERALS
b) Nonmetals- Elements that have dull surfaces and
are poor conductors of heat and electricity and are
brittle.
1) Halite(NaCl)- Salt
2) Gypsum-Drywall, chalk
3) Calcite-Cement
4) Kaolinite-Bricks
 USES OF MINERALS
2. Alloy- A mixture of two or more metals or a
mixture of metals and nonmetals
a) Tin+Copper= Bronze
b) Copper+Zinc= Brass
c) Iron+Chromium+Limestone= Steel
d) Lead+Tin= Pewter
 USES OF MINERALS
3. Gems- Minerals that have desirable qualities; such
as hardness, color, luster, clarity, durability, rarity…
a) Precious Stones:
 Diamond, Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds

b) Semi-Precious Stones:
 Amethyst, Garnet, Topaz

c) Gems that are not minerals

 Pearls, Amber
 ROCKS IN
RELATION TO MINERALS
1. Many kinds of rocks are composed of minerals
a) Granite; mica, feldspar and quartz
2. Monomineralic; rocks that are composed of only one
mineral.
a) Marble– Calcite

3. Polymineralic; rocks that are composed of two or more

minerals
a) Granite

4. There are almost 4,700 different minerals

 Silicates make up 90% of the crust.
 COMMON ROCK
FORMING MINERALS

ne
Quartz

11 roxe
5%
12% ole

%
ib

Py
ph
m
de/A
Potassium nb
len 5%
Ho
r
Mic a
Feldspar t it e
12% Bio
Clays 5%
Olivin
e 3%
Plagioclase Ot
Feldspar 8% her
39%
 CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS
II. Rocks are classified based on their method of
formation/origin.
A. 3 Rock Groups
1. Sedimentary
2. Igneous
3. Metamorphic
 SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
B. Rocks that usually form in horizontal layers; from
the accumulation of sediment, organic matter, or
chemical precipitates
1. Form underwater in lakes, seas or oceans
2. Mostly composed of quartz, feldspar and clay.
Time
Pressure

Pressure
Silt
Silt
Sand Silt
Sandstone
Clay
Shale
Silt Siltstone
Clay Shale

Layers of sediment Pressure/weight Sediment is compacted

deposit and accumulate squeezes lower layers and cemented into rock
 TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
PG 6

a) Clastic: form from mineral particles and sediment

that are compacted and cemented together.
1) Compaction: pressed by weight of overlying rock
2) Cementation: glued by natural cements in water
 Calcite

Pressure

After Deposition Compaction Cementation

CLASTIC ROCKS
 TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK
b) Chemical: form from minerals dissolved in water;
which settle-out/precipitate.
1) Dissolved minerals are left behind when water
evaporates
 TYPES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK
c) Organic: form from the accumulation of
plant/animal matter that undergoes a
transformation into rock.
FORMATION OF COAL
 SEDIMENTARY
CHARACTERISTICS
a) They are composed of
rock, mineral or
organic particles.
b) Some have a range of
particle sizes.
1) Pebbles, cobbles, boulders,
in a sand, silt or clay
a) Conglomerate: rounded
fragments
b) Breccia: angular
fragments.
 SEDIMENTARY
CHARACTERISTICS
c) Some have a uniform
sediment size; due to
sorting during
deposition
1) Sandstone:
 0.2 - 0.006cm
2) Siltstone:
 0.006 –0.0004cm
3) Slate:
 less than 0.0004 cm
 SEDIMENTARY
CHARACTERISTICS
d) Some rocks are
organic and may
contain fossils.
1) Coquina

e) Usually form in
horizontal layers called
strata or beds
ORGANIZE THE MAIN IDEAS
 IGNEOUS ROCKS
C. Form from the cooling and
crystallization/solidification of molten lava or
magma.
1. When molten lava or magma cools and solidifies the
crystals of different minerals form a rock.

2. The rock contains a crystalline structure of inter-grown

crystals of different sizes, shapes, and composition
TYPES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
a) Extrusive/Volcanic: Forms from the fast
cooling of lava on or near Earth’s surface.
1) Rapid cooling does NOT allow time for
crystals to grow.
2) Rocks have small to no crystals;
smooth/fine texture.
EXTRUSIVE/VOLCANIC IGNEOUS ROCKS
 TYPES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
b) Intrusive/Plutonic: Form from the slow cooling
of magma within the Earth
1) Slow cooling allows time for large crystals to
grow
2) Rocks have large crystals; coarse/rough
texture
INTRUSIVE/PLUTONIC IGNEOUS ROCKS
 ENVIRONMENT OF FORMATION
Rate of
Grain Size Texture Example
cooling

Very Non- Obsidian

Glassy
Extrusive Fast crystalline Pumice
(Volcanic)
Less than Basalt
Fast Fine
1mm Rhyolite
Intrusive
(Plutonic) 1mm or Granite
Slow Coarse
larger Diorite
 CRYSTAL SIZE VS. COOLING RATE
1) Location in Earth’s crust effects the cooling rate
and crystal size

No Crystals Very Fast Cooling

Crystal Size

Small Crystals Fast Cooling

F S
Rate of Cooling
Large Crystals Slow Cooling
IGNEOUS ROCK IDENTIFICATION
ESRT’S PG 6
MINERAL COMPOSITION
(RELATIVE BY VOLUME)

PG 6
 FELSIC VS MAFIC COMPOSITION

1) Felsic – Pumice, 2) Mafic – Scoria,

Rhyolite, Granite Basalt, Gabbro
a) Composition – rich in a) Composition – rich in
Iron (Fe) and
Silicon (Si) and
Magnesium (Mg)
Aluminum (Al)
b) Density – higher
b) Density – lower densities; Scoria =
densities; Pumice = 2.55 g/cm3
0.64g/cm3 c) Color – darker; white,
c) Color – lighter; clear, gray, back, and green
white, pink, grey, black
 COMPARE THE MAIN IDEAS
FLESIC MAFIC
HOW ALIKE?

HOW DIFFERENT
WITH REGARD TO

PATTERNS OF SIGNIFICANCE:
 METAMORPHIC ROCKS
D. Rocks that form from pre-existing rocks (sedimentary,
igneous, metamorphic);that have been changed.
1. Molecules can rearrange and
form new rocks due to
contact with extreme heat
(magma), or extreme
pressure (orogeny)

2. Often found in mountainous

regions where the deeper
bedrock is exposed due to
weathering and erosion
 METAMORPHISM
a) Conditions that cause rocks to undergo
metamorphism
1) Heat
2) Pressure
3) Chemical Activity
b) Contact Metamorphism
1) Rocks around a magma/lava can be metamorphosed through
direct contact with the magma/lava

c) Regional Metamorphism
1) Rocks buried deep within the crust can re-crystallize due to extreme
pressure during mountain building events
 METAMORPHIC CHANGES
4. Environments within the crust have high
temperatures and high pressure; causing rocks to
change by recrystallization.

1) No true melting; called partial melt (plastic)

2) Increased Density
3) Chemical Change/New Minerals
4) Foliated/Non-foliated

 New mineral crystals can grow from the sediment in

sedimentary rock, and from the “old” crystals in an igneous rock.
 TYPES OF METAMORPHIC ROCK
TEXTURE
a) Foliated: Rock has mineral crystals arranged in
layers or parallel bands.
 Mineral Alignment: Schist, Slate, & Banding: Gneiss
 FOLIATED TEXTURES
1) Mineral Alignment: Minerals join; but do not form visible
layers.
a) Creates a shine or veneer on the rock
b) Slate, Phyllite and Schist

2) Banding: Mineral crystals join and arrange in layers;

Gneiss
a) Increase in heat and pressure usually produces
thicker bands of alternating crystals
b) Distorted Structure: The folding of the mineral bands due to
extreme pressure exerted on the rock.
 METAMORPHIC TEXTURES

b) Non-Foliated/Unfoliated: Rock does not have

mineral crystals arranged in layers; do not break
in layers/sheets
1) Marble, Quartzite, Anthracite Coal
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Original Rock
Shale Sedimentary
Slate Metamorphic
Granite Igneous
Limestone Sedimentary
Sandstone Sedimentary
Bituminous Coal Sedimentary
MAIN IDEA RELATIONSHIPS

Cause
Effect

Me
tam
or
Cause ph
ism

Effect

Cause
 ROCK RELATIONSHIPS
E. The Rock Cycle: pg 6 of ESRT’s
1. Any rock can become any other rock as shown by the
processes in the rock cycle.
 FAMOUS ROCKS
 White House; Sandstone

 Grand Canyon; layers of sedimentary rocks

 Pyramids; Limestone
 Mount Rushmore; Granite

 Great Wall of China; stone; brick, etc…

 Stonehenge
ROCK RELATIONSHIPS
 V
Rocks

Sedimentary Igneous Metamorphic

Clastic Organic Crystalline Intrusive Extrusive

Foliated Unfoliated
Sediment Bioclastic Chemical Plutonic Volcanic

Conglomerate Pumice
Bituminous Coal Limestone Granite Slate Marble
Sandstone Obsidian
Limestone Rock Salt Gabbro Schist Quartzite
Siltstone Chalk Basalt
Rock Gypsum Diorite Gneiss Anthracite Coal
Shale Rhyolite
UNIT CONNECTIONS