What is a Mineral?

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NATURALLY OCCURRING

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NOT made by people

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INORGANIC

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NOT made from living things

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SOLID means

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NOT liquid or gas

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CRYSTAL STRUCTURE

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has atoms that form a pattern

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DEFINITE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION means

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made of the same chemicals

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Diamonds from all over the world are made of the same types of atoms (carbon).

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definite chemical composition

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Scientists do not agree about whether or not ice is a mineral because of this characteristic: naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, definite chemical composition.

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solid

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NAME THAT MINERAL CHARACTERISTIC: People create steel by mixing iron and other materials, so steel is not a mineral. Options: solid, naturally occurring, definite chemical composition, inorganic

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naturally occurring

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Under a microscope, sulfur atoms form a repeating pattern.

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crystal structure

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NAME THAT MINERAL CHARACTERISTIC: Pyrite does not come from living things. Options: solid, crystal structure, naturally occurring, inorganic

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inorganic