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Minerals are solid substances found in nature that are made up of one or more elements bonded together (chemical compounds). Minerals are made up of components such as gold, silver, and carbon. Native elements are what they’re called. Instead, common table salt is a chemical component known as rock salt, which is a mineral made up of sodium and chlorine ions. The atoms, ions, and molecules that make up a mineral are organised in space into crystal lattices, which are geometrical forms with well-defined geometrical features. The crystal lattice structure determines the shape of the crystal as we view it.
Mineralogy is a branch of geology that studies chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties including the optical qualities of minerals. Mineralogy investigates the processes of mineral genesis and formation, mineral categorization, geographic distribution, and use.
Definition of minerals
“Mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid, with a specified chemical composition, and an ordered atomic arrangement. This may appear to be a mouthful, but once broken down, it becomes clear. Minerals are found in nature. Humans do not create them”.
Physical Characteristics
Minerals have the following physical Characteristics
Colour: the mineral’s appearance
The colour of the mineral’s powder is called a streak
The way light bounces off a mineral’s surface is called lustre
Specific gravity refers to how heavy a mineral is in comparison to a certain volume of water
Cleavage is the tendency for a mineral to shatter along flat surfaces
The pattern in which a mineral fractures
Hardness refers to which minerals it can scrape and which minerals it can scratch
Minerals categories
Minerals are divided into eight basic classes according to the Dana system.
Native elements: Native elements are made up of only one type of atom.
Silicates: Silicates are the most common mineral group. The most prevalent silicate minerals are feldspar and quartz.
Oxides: One or two metal components are joined with oxygen in oxides.
Sulphates: Sulphur atoms are linked to oxygen atoms in sulphate minerals.
Sulphides: Metallic elements mix with sulphur to generate sulphides. Sulphides, unlike sulphates, do not contain oxygen.
Halides: When saltwater evaporates, halide minerals are formed. Although halite is a halide mineral, it is not the only one.
Carbonates: One carbon atom is linked to three oxygen atoms in the basic carbonate structure.
Phosphates: The atomic structure of phosphate minerals is similar to that of silicate minerals.
Minerals formation
Minerals can form under a wide variety of geological circumstances. There are probably more ways to make minerals than there are different sorts of minerals. Minerals can originate as a result of volcanic gases, sediment creation, oxidation, magma crystallisation, or saline fluid deposition.
Minerals can take a variety of forms. Some minerals are formed by extremely hot fluids. Some are formed by cool liquids. When solid minerals reorganise, some of them form.
Hot Material Formation
Rock is formed of minerals. Consider a rock that melts due to extreme heat. Many minerals begin their lives in liquids hot enough to melt rocks. Magma is melted rock inside the Earth, a molten mixture of components that can reach temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Celsius. Inside Earth, the magma cools slowly, allowing mineral crystals to grow large enough to be seen clearly.
Formation from Hot Underground Water
Magma has the ability to warm underground water. The hot water travels beneath the Earth’s surface through fractures. When compared to cold water, hot water can hold more dissolved particles. Chemical reactions occur between the rocks and the hot, salty solution. More dissolved particles are taken up by the water. The water deposits solid minerals as it travels through cracks in the rocks. Veins are deposits formed when a mineral fills fissures in rocks. A white quartz vein can be seen below.
Formation from Solutions
The majority of water on Earth contains elements, including ocean water. Water equally distributes the elements. A solution is made of water and other components. Filtering the water will not remove the particles since they are too small. Water, on the other hand, can result in solid mineral formations.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned that Minerals are crystalline elements or chemical compounds generated by geological processes. Minerals are classified according to their chemical makeup. Minerals within the same group may have comparable features due to compositional similarity. Minerals have regular, repeating patterns of atoms that can be utilised to identify the mineral. Minerals are categorised based on their chemical makeup.
