Minerals

• Minerals are formed through various processes such as crystallization from magma or lava, precipitation from water, and metamorphism.
• The three main types of rocks are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
• Crystallization from magma or lava is the process by which molten rock cools and solidifies, forming crystals.
• The process of mineral formation through crystallization from magma or lava is called igneous rock formation.
• Metamorphism is the process by which rocks undergo changes in mineralogy, texture, or chemical composition due to high temperature and pressure. It contributes to mineral formation by causing existing minerals to recrystallize and form new minerals through the rearrangement of atoms.
• A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition, while a rock is a combination of minerals or mineraloids.
• How do atoms bond together?

  Covalent bond (strongest) shares an atom

  Ionic bond borrows an atom

  Metallic bond flows freely

  Van Der Waals (weakest) sticks together
• What are amorphous materials?

  They are not minerals because they have no crystalline structures. Ex: glass
• Native elements are made up of only one chemical element such as gold and copper.
• Silicate minerals are composed of silica tetrahedra.
• Silicate tetrahedra is the most common group of minerals and mostly found in igneous rocks.
• What are some characteristics of magic rocks?

  • High in magnesium (ma) and iron (ferric)
  • Dense and dark colored
  • Forms at high temperature
• What are some characteristics of felsic rocks?

  • High in silica, low in magnesium and/or iron
  • Light-weight and light-colored
  • Forms at low temperature
• Bowen’s reaction series describes the order in which silicate minerals crystallize.
• Continuous branch: Plagioclase Feldspar

  • Maybe Ca-rich or Na-rich
  • Felsic crystallizes at low temperature
• Discontinuous Branch: Mafic

  • Elements are removed from the melt as each mineral forms. The remaining melt will form the next mineral
  • Stable at high temperature
• What are carbonate minerals?

  Contains carbonate, calcite, and dolomite. Mostly found in sedimentary rocks.
• What are sulfide minerals?

  Contains sulfur + metallic element. They are commonly found along mid-oceanic ridges and in all types of rocks.
• Sulfate minerals contain all sulfate.
• What are some example of sulfide minerals?

  Pyrite, Galena
• Gypsum is an example of sulfates.
• Minerals that contain halogen atom are halides
• Halides form from what?


  Evaporites
• Halides are mostly in common in deserts.
• What are some examples of halides?

  Halite (table salt) and Flourite
• Graphite has van der waals bonds while diamond has covalent bonds.
• Rock-forming are mostly silicates while accessory minerals are present in minor quantities and/or are rare.