Defining Minerals

Most forms of matter are

• made of living things

• made of single, native elements

• made of compound-mixtures

• covered in free-flowing electrons

Answer explanation

Most substances are compounds- chemically bound groups of two or more types of elements. Molecules are atom groups linked by chemical bonds. There are three main types of compound bonds- ionic, covalent, and metallic. Metals have special properties, including free-flowing electrons between atoms that result in conductivity. 

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What is the difference between a metal and non-metal?

• metals loose electrons while non-metals gain electrons

• metals are shiny while non-metals are dull

• metals gain electrons while non-metals loose electrons

• all metals conduct electricity while non-metals do not

Answer explanation

Metals are elements that lose electrons easily to form positive ions (cations); such as Lithium (Li), Aluminum (Al), and Tin (Sn). Free-flowing electrons allow for conductivity. Bismuth (Bi) is non-conductive.

Non-metals are elements that gain electrons easily to form negative ions (anions); such as Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O). Graphite (a form of Carbon) is conductive.

A mineral must meet these qualifications

• naturally occurring

• inorganic

• solid

• distinct chemical composition

• crystalline molecular structure

Answer explanation

A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a distinct chemical composition and crystalline structure.

There are more than 4,000 known minerals, but the vast majority of the Earth's surface are combinations of only eight elements: Oxygen (O), Silicon (Si), Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), and Magnesium (Mg).

Is salt a mineral?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

(YES) Solid 

(YES) Naturally occurring

(YES) Inorganic 

(YES) Fixed chemical formula 

(YES) Specific atomic arrangement

Salt is a mineral. The most common type of salt is NaCl, which as a rock is known as Halite. NaCl molecules stack on top of each other to form a tiny cube.

Perfect conditions allow these smaller cubes to stack on each other enough to become visible to the naked eye. Most rocks undergo changing conditions where minerals form at different times, preventing distinct shapes.

Is coal a mineral?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

(Yes) Solid 

(Yes) Naturally occurring 

(No) Inorganic 

(No) Fixed chemical formula 

(No) Specific atomic arrangement

Coal is NOT a mineral. Coal has an organic, fossil origin from dead and compressed plant matter, such as a buried swamp. It slowly changes over millions of years. That's why it's called a fossil fuel.

Is water ice a mineral?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

(YES) Solid 

(YES) Naturally occurring

(YES) Inorganic 

(YES) Fixed chemical formula 

(YES) Specific atomic arrangement

Despite fitting each criteria, most scientists don't consider water ice a mineral. Mostly because water is typically found in its liquid form on Earth.

But in other places like Saturn's moon Titan, water is almost always solid while other compounds like methane acts much like how water does on Earth.

What are four ways a mineral can form?

• cooling molten rock (crystallization)

• extreme heat & pressure (recrystallization)

• erosion and evaporation (physical)

• preserving of organic material (fossilization)

• hydrothermal solutions (chemical)

Answer explanation

Minerals are NOT organic.

Rocks however can have preserved organic remnants such as fossils, and even artificially made materials such as plastic,

Draw the molecule H2O

Answer explanation

H2O (water) is an incredibly important substance for life and various Earth processes.

H (+1, times 2) and O (-2) creates a stable and balance charge.

Water is polar, meaning that one side (O) is negatively charged while the other side (H) is positively charged.

Hydrogen bonding creates a strong bond between water and most other substances. Water usually bonds to other water molecules in a lattice pattern, which is why water drops form and solid water expands instead of contracts.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1