Minerals of the Earth’s Crust

Minerals naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline

structure.

You can tell if an object is a mineral by asking 4 questions:

1. Is it a solid?

Minerals cannot be gases or liquids.

2. Is it a non-living material?

A mineral is inorganic, meaning it isn’t made of living things.

3. Does it have a crystalline structure?

Minerals are crystals, which have a repeating inner structure that is often reflected in the shape of the crystal.

4. Is it formed in nature?

Crystalline materials made by people aren’t classified as minerals.

Minerals naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline

structure.

To understand what a crystalline structure is, we need to understand elements.

Element: A substance that cannot be separated or broken

down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Each element is made of only 1 kind of atom.

Some minerals are made are made of compounds of several different

elements

Compound: A substance made up of atoms of two or more elements joined by chemical bonds

Minerals naturally formed, inorganic solids that have a crystalline

structure.

Crystal:A solid whose atoms are arranged in a

definite pattern. A crystal’s shape is determined by the arrangement of the

atoms within the crystal

All minerals can be grouped into crystal classes according to the kinds of crystals

Minerals are divided into 2 groups based on their chemical composition

Silicate minerals:Minerals that contain a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals

Silicon and Oxygen usually combine with metals like aluminum, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Some minerals are made are made of compounds of several different

elements

Compound: A substance made up of atoms of two or more elements joined by chemical bonds