MINERAL GROUPS MINERALS MUST CONTAIN:

Silicates Silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) & sometimes other elements

Carbonates Carbon atom with three oxygen atoms (CO3) & some

other elements

Halides Chlorine (Cl), fluorine (F), bromine (Br) or iodine (I) &

some other elements

Oxides Oxygen (O) & other elements

Native Elements A single element from the periodic table, alone &

unmixed with other elements

Sulfides Sulfur (S) & other elements

Sulfates Sulfur with four oxygen atoms (SO4) & other elements

MINERAL GROUP IDENTIFICATION

Read the given material & formula, then identify the

proper mineral group to which it belongs. Put the

answer in the left box.

1. Barite BaSO4

2. Bornite Cu5FeS4

3. Calcite CaCO3

4. Copper Cu

5. Cromite FeCr2O4

6. Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2

7. Fluorite CaF2

8. Gold Au

9. Gypsum CaSO4*2H2O

10. Halite NaCl

11. Magnetite Fe3O4

12. Olivine (Mg, Fe)2SiO4

13. Pyrite FeS2

14. Quartz SiO2

15. Silver Ag

Common Elements of Earth’s Crust

1. What two elements make up most of Earth’s crust?

_______________________ _______________________

2. Given this information and the list of mineral groups, which mineral group (sulfates, sulfides,

native elements, oxides, halides, carbonates, or silicates) do you think most Earth rocks belong

to?

_______________________

3. Name one mineral that falls into this mineral group.

_______________________

4. Do you think sulfides or sulfates would be very common? Why or why not?

________________________________________________________

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5. Why do you think we recycle aluminum cans?

________________________________________________________

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6. Using the information in this graph, why do you think soda cans are not made out of iron or

magnesium instead of aluminum?

________________________________________________________

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VIRGINIA RESOURCES

List all the minerals & metals that are found in the Virginia map above. Then, using your worksheets & the Mineral Resources poster (or the

internet), list what their uses are. Some are given for you.

MINERAL NAME USES

Kaolin* Insecticide, fertilizers, plastics

Kyanite* Furnace bricks, abrasives, brake shoes & cookware

Manganese* Steel, dry-cell batteries

Phosphate* Baked goods, beverages, cereals, cosmetics, cleaner

Pyrite* Source of sulfur dioxide & sulfuric acid

Barite =ore of barium

http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DMR3/economicgeology.shtml