Groups of Mineralsadapted from La Rosa

6th grade science www.middleschoolscience.com 2010

Mineral Groups - Notes

As you view the slides, write your notes into the graphic organizers.

Include all the information from each slide into the appropriate boxes. Write neatly and carefully.

You will not be expected to memorize this information, but this information will be used as a reference throughout our mineral unit and help you become familiar with the different types of minerals that exist.

Mineral Groups

Minerals are divided into groups based on their chemical composition

The two main groups all minerals can be classified into are:

▪ Silicates

▪ Nonsilicates

Silicates

Made of Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O)▪ Example: SiO4

Make up 90% of the Earth’s crust

Combine with elements such as Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), and Potassium (K)

Silicates - Groups

Nesosilicates

Willemite – Zn2(SiO4)▪ found in Franklin, NJ

Garnet - A3B2(SiO4)3

Silicates - Groups

Sorosilicates

Hemimorphite▪ Zn4(SiO4)

Silicates - Groups

Cyclosilicates

Beryl▪ Be3Al2(Si6O18)

Silicates - Groups

Inosilicates

Hornblende▪ (Ca,Na)2(Mg,Fe,Al)5(Al,Si)8O22 (OH)2

Silicates - Groups

Phyllosilicates

Talc▪ Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2

Silicates - Groups

Tectosilicates

Quartz ▪ SiO2

Opal▪ SiO2

.nH2O

Nonsilicates

Do not contain a combination of Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O) in their chemical composition

There are 6 groups of nonsilicates:1. Native Elements2. Oxides3. Carbonates4. Sulfates5. Halides6. Sulfides

Native Elements

Minerals composed of only one element

Examples are: Gold (Au) Copper (Cu) Silver (Ag)*

Oxides

Elements combine with Oxygen (O)

Some elements that bond with O are Aluminum (Al) and Iron (Fe)

Examples of oxides: Chromite - FeCr2O4

Hematite* - Fe2O3

Carbonates

Contain Carbon (C) and Oxygen (O) in their formulas

Examples: Calcite - CaCO3

Malachite* - Cu2CO3(OH)2

Sulfates

Contain Sulfur and Oxygen (SO4)

Examples: Gypsum - CaSO4

.2H2O

Barite - BaSO4

Celestite* - SrSO4

Halides

Compounds formed when Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Iodine (I), or Bromine (Br) bond with Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), or Calcium (Ca)

Examples: Halite - NaCl Fluorite - CaF2

Sulfides

Elements bonded with Sulfur (S) such as Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), or Nickel (Ni)

Examples: Galena - PbS Pyrite - FeS2