What is a mineral?

A mineral is1.naturally formed2.inorganic3.solid 4.has a definite crystalline structure

More specifically….Elements—are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. (Think periodic table!) They are made of one type of atom!

• All minerals contain one or more NATURALLY occurring elements

• Minerals that contain more than one atom are made of compounds.

• NaCl is a mineral (salt) and is made of two elements, so it’s a compound!

What is crystalline structure?All minerals have a repeating pattern of atoms called crystals.A crystal’s shape is determined by the arrangement of the atoms in the mineral.

Salt has a crystal shaped like a cube Selenite in the Crystal Cave

has a blade or block shape

Quartz has a hexagonal shape with a pyramid

shape at the top.

Two Main Groups of Minerals1. Silicate Minerals

1. Have Silicon and Oxygen as part of their compound2. Over 90% of minerals are silicate minerals

1. Quartz, 2. Feldspar3. Mica

2. Non-silicate Minerals1. Do not contain Silicon and Oxygen as part of their

compound2. Have Carbon, Fluorine, and Sulphur

1. Gold, Silver, Copper2. Carbonate minerals3. Halides4. Sulfates5. Oxides6. Sulfides