Minerals

inorganicNaturally occurrin

g

solidCrystal structure

definite chemical make-up

Video clip “What is a mineral?’Media player quicktime

gold

water

coal

rubies

petroleum

diamonds

Here is a hard one – What about ice?

All minerals have a definite chemical combination – view media player video

Same video - quicktime

One way is color!

http://www.minresco.com

http://www.gems-afghan.com

http://www.globalcrystals.com

http://www.prettyrock.com

Not all minerals have the same hardness. Some you can easily scratch with your fingernail!

http://www.infowest.com

/vwdocs/vwlessons

http://www.prettyrock.com

http://www.wpclipart.com

http://www.wpclipart.com

http://www.uky.edu/KGS

Streak is the color of a mineral powder. Many minerals appear a different color when powdered than they do as a big piece. The color may be entirely different, or it may be a different shade.

http://cmsc.minotstateu.edu

http://cmsc.minotstateu.edu

Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch

Courtesy United States Geological Survey Courtesy United States Geological Survey

Each reflects light differently – that is luster!

Which of these words would you use to describe these minerals?Glassy, metallic, dull, silky, waxy, pearly

This means for equal size, they have their own special weight.

http://www.palagems.com

Which one is worth more?

How could you tell?

The first one is topaz (worth a lot) and the second is citrine quartz (not worth a lot).

A scientist would measure their densities and they would be different!

Copyright © Dr. Richard Busch

http://www.wired-artist-jewelry.comhttp://webphysics.davidson.edu

http://www.fabreminerals.com

http://www.fabreminerals.comLink to crystal video media player

quicktime

Cleavage means it breaks the same way every time.

Fracture means it breaks in a random pattern that cannot be predicted.

www.mrsciguy.com

Calcite and halite break a special way.

donsmaps.com www.visionlearning.com

Quartz and chert break in a random pattern. There is not way to predict how they break.

Click here for a video clip on mineral properties media player Quicktime

Another video clip on identifying mineralsMedia player

Quicktime