This document provides an overview of minerals found in Earth's crust. It defines a mineral as a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite crystalline structure. Minerals are either elements or compounds. They form crystals through a repeating pattern of atoms. There are two major groups of minerals: silicate minerals, which contain silicon, oxygen, and metals; and nonsilicate minerals, which do not contain silicon and oxygen. Nonsilicate minerals are divided into six main classes - native elements, carbonates, halides, oxides, sulfates, and sulfides.

1. Minerals of the Earth’s crust Earth Science Chapter 1.1 What is a Mineral?

2. Objectives: Describe the structure of minerals Describe the two major groups of minerals Bellringer: Compare the piece of pencil lead and the diamond in the photograph provided by your teacher. Both substances are composed of carbon. How can the same element form two substances with such different properties?

3. Mineral Structure Mineral Naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure You can tell whether an object is a mineral by asking four questions Is it a nonliving material? Is it a solid? Does it have a crystalline structure? Is it formed in nature? Elements pure substances that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means

4. Atoms and Compounds Minerals may be either elements or compounds Compound substance made of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds Native element Mineral that is composed of only one element Examples: Gold and Silver Native Gold Native antimony Native silver

5. Crystals Solid, geometric forms of minerals produced by a repeating pattern of atoms that is present through-out the mineral Shape Determined by the arrangement of the atoms within the crystal Arrangement of atoms determined by the kinds of atoms that make up the mineral Silvite, KCl Halite, NaCl Fluorite, CaCl2

6. Two Groups of Minerals based on their chemical composition Silicate minerals minerals that contain a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals Examples : quartz, feldspar, and mica

7. Nonsilicate minerals Minerals that do not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen Six main classes Native elements One element Copper - Cu, Gold - Au, Silver - Ag Carbonates Combination of carbon and oxygen Cement, building stone, fireworks Halides Form when halogen combine with sodium, potassium, or calcium Chemical industry and detergents copper Calcite, calcium carbonate Azurite, copper carbonate Fluorite, calcium fluoride

8. Oxides Form when aluminum or iron combine with oxygen Abrasives, aircraft parts, paint Sulfates Contain sulfur and oxygen, SO4 Cosmetics, toothpaste, cement, and paint Sulfides Contain lead, iron, or nickel combined with Sulfur. Batteries, medicines, electronic parts Corundum, aluminum oxide Zincite, zinc oxide Gypsum, calcium sulfate Pyrite, Iron sulfide “Fools Gold” Galena, lead sulfide Baryte, barium sulfate