Minerals

Arianee R. A.

1. MineralsMinerals are natural materials.

Minerals can be found in nature, they can be part of rocks, animal bones and shells.

Each mineral is different:

Shape: Some minerals are regular, like pyrite.

Others, like turquoise, are irregular.

Colour:Each mineral has a typical colour.

Shiny or dull?Some minerals, like pyrite, are shiny. Others, like chalk, are dull.

Hard or soft?Diamond is the hardest mineral.Gypsum is the softest.

2. Minerals are useful

We use minerals like gypsum to build buildings.

We use minerals like diamonds to make jewellery.

Rocks are natural materials1. RocksRocks are materials made up of minerals. We dig mines to obtain rocks that are underground.We dig quarries to obtain rocks that are on the surface.

2. Rocks are useful.Slate, marble and granite are used for

building.Coal is used for fuel. We burn it to obtain

heat.

Slate Marble Granite Coal

GraniteGranite is made up of three different minerals:quartz, feldspar and mica.

We obtain granite in quarries

Granite is hard and resistant.The ancient Egyptians used granite to make sculptures.

Quartz Feldspar Mica

Soil and underground water

1. Types of soilThe ground is made up of rocks, sand, soil, air, water and humus.Humus is the remains of living things.

• Fertile ground has a lot of water, air and humus.

It is good for plants.

Poor ground: only resistant plants, like olive trees can

grow in poor ground.

Very poor ground, for example, in the desert.

Very few plants can grow there.

2. Underground waterSome water from rain filters through the ground and reaches the bottom rocks. It stops and becomes underground water.

In deserts, this underground water creates an oasis.