Minerals
Minerals, what are they? How do you know how to identify them?
There are many of them, and many ways to identify them. First of all, a mineral is a chemical element or compound that is naturally made. Minerals can be used for many things, such as; jewelry, tools, gasoline, oil, and plastic.
The following paragraphs are different ways to identify minerals.
Lustre:
Lustre is the shininess of a mineral or rock. All of the types of lustre are either metallic or non-metallic. There are 6 different types of lustre;
Adamantine: Has a hard, brilliant shine like a diamond.
Glassy: Has a surface reflection of a piece of glass.
Greasy: Looks like it’s covered in a thin layer of oil.
Waxy: Looks like wax.
Pearly: Has a sheen like a pearl.
Silky: Has a shine like silk.
Streak:
If you take a mineral and slide it on a small plate of porcelain a powdered color of the mineral will show up on the small plate. Some minerals have no streak.
Hardness:
The hardness is the measure of the resistance of being scratched. The hardness scale is called the MOHS hardness scale.
MOHS Hardness Scale
1- talc, soapstone (softest)
2- gypsum
3- calcite
4- fluorite
5- apatite
6- feldspar
7- quartz
8- topaz
9- corundum
10- diamond (hardest)
Color:
Color is the least important way to identify a mineral, but should still be used.
Fracture and Cleavage:
When a mineral is broken, a clean, straight break is called cleavage. A fracture is a rough and jagged break.
Crystal Structure:
The crystal structure is another way to identify minerals. Usually the crystal structure is hard to see. Y IDK!!!!! SHEES
There are six types of crystal structures;
Cubic
Tetragonal
Orthohombic
Triclinic
Monoclinic
There are many of them, and many ways to identify them. First of all, a mineral is a chemical element or compound that is naturally made. Minerals can be used for many things, such as; jewelry, tools, gasoline, oil, and plastic.
The following paragraphs are different ways to identify minerals.
Lustre:
Lustre is the shininess of a mineral or rock. All of the types of lustre are either metallic or non-metallic. There are 6 different types of lustre;
Adamantine: Has a hard, brilliant shine like a diamond.
Glassy: Has a surface reflection of a piece of glass.
Greasy: Looks like it’s covered in a thin layer of oil.
Waxy: Looks like wax.
Pearly: Has a sheen like a pearl.
Silky: Has a shine like silk.
Streak:
If you take a mineral and slide it on a small plate of porcelain a powdered color of the mineral will show up on the small plate. Some minerals have no streak.
Hardness:
The hardness is the measure of the resistance of being scratched. The hardness scale is called the MOHS hardness scale.
MOHS Hardness Scale
1- talc, soapstone (softest)
2- gypsum
3- calcite
4- fluorite
5- apatite
6- feldspar
7- quartz
8- topaz
9- corundum
10- diamond (hardest)
Color:
Color is the least important way to identify a mineral, but should still be used.
Fracture and Cleavage:
When a mineral is broken, a clean, straight break is called cleavage. A fracture is a rough and jagged break.
Crystal Structure:
The crystal structure is another way to identify minerals. Usually the crystal structure is hard to see. Y IDK!!!!! SHEES
There are six types of crystal structures;
Cubic
Tetragonal
Orthohombic
Triclinic
Monoclinic
Rocks
Rocks..... What are they and how are they formed? What are the different types? Do they change to different types of rocks over time? If they do, how so? There are three types of rocks; Igneous, Sedimentry, and Metamorphic rocks. You will find the answers to all these questions and other important facts about rocks and what they are. Keep reading and learn.
Igneous Rocks:
Igneous rocks can be formed intrusively (inside the earth) or extrusively (on the surface of the earth). Pumice is an example of an extrusive formed rock. When a volcano erupts the lava spews out and “falls” on the sides of the volcano. The lava eventually hardens and turns into pumice rock. Granite is an example of an intrusive formed rock. Inside the earth there are large collections of magma. A small amount will venture away from the collection. This magma cools and hardens, making granite or other types of igneous rocks. Extrusive formed rocks take less time to harden and cool than intrusive formed rocks because, on the earth's surface, the cool air helps speed up the cooling process.
Sedimentary Rocks:
There are two ways sedimentary rocks can be formed, compaction or cementation. Sedimentary rocks are always formed under water. Water, wind, rain, and ice can move sediments to a place where they settle on top of other layers of sediments. The weight of each layer forces the sediments together. This process is called compaction. Some minerals of certain sedimentary rocks can dissolve by weathering and erosion. The dissolved minerals form a natural cement that glues larger pieces of sediments together. This process is called cementation. Fossils are found mainly in sedimentary rock.
Metamorphic Rocks:
Metamorphic rocks are made when heat pressure or fluid change one type of rock to another. Metamorphic rocks can be made from igneous or sedimentary rocks. It takes a very long time for metamorphic rock to be formed. Metamorphic rock is always formed under the surface of the earth, where heat and pressure are very high. Some examples of igneous or sedimentary rocks being changed to metamorphic rocks are; Shale changes to Slate, Granite changes to Gneiss, Limestone changes to Marble. Many other rocks can change too. The original state of the rock is called the Parent Rock.
Igneous Rocks:
Igneous rocks can be formed intrusively (inside the earth) or extrusively (on the surface of the earth). Pumice is an example of an extrusive formed rock. When a volcano erupts the lava spews out and “falls” on the sides of the volcano. The lava eventually hardens and turns into pumice rock. Granite is an example of an intrusive formed rock. Inside the earth there are large collections of magma. A small amount will venture away from the collection. This magma cools and hardens, making granite or other types of igneous rocks. Extrusive formed rocks take less time to harden and cool than intrusive formed rocks because, on the earth's surface, the cool air helps speed up the cooling process.
Sedimentary Rocks:
There are two ways sedimentary rocks can be formed, compaction or cementation. Sedimentary rocks are always formed under water. Water, wind, rain, and ice can move sediments to a place where they settle on top of other layers of sediments. The weight of each layer forces the sediments together. This process is called compaction. Some minerals of certain sedimentary rocks can dissolve by weathering and erosion. The dissolved minerals form a natural cement that glues larger pieces of sediments together. This process is called cementation. Fossils are found mainly in sedimentary rock.
Metamorphic Rocks:
Metamorphic rocks are made when heat pressure or fluid change one type of rock to another. Metamorphic rocks can be made from igneous or sedimentary rocks. It takes a very long time for metamorphic rock to be formed. Metamorphic rock is always formed under the surface of the earth, where heat and pressure are very high. Some examples of igneous or sedimentary rocks being changed to metamorphic rocks are; Shale changes to Slate, Granite changes to Gneiss, Limestone changes to Marble. Many other rocks can change too. The original state of the rock is called the Parent Rock.
The Rock Cycle
Rocks can change from one type of rock to another, The process takes thousands of years. Igneous rocks sometimes change to sediments, through weathering and erosion. Then the sediments either go through thee process of compaction or cementation. Igneous rocks may also turn into metamorphic rocks. The intrusive igneous rocks after heat and pressure has been applied the igneous rock is now a metamorphic rock. A metamorphic rock can change to a igneous rock. The metamorphic rock can melt, and it will be magma. The magma will either be erupted through a volcano or it will stay in the earth and be an intrusive or extrusive igneous rock. Metamorphic rocks turn to sedimentary rocks through weathering and erosion. Sedimentary rocks turn to metamorphic rocks by heat and pressure. The rock cycle happens in no certain order.