Mineral Identification
miNERALS
MineralsMinerals are defined as naturally occurring, inorganic, solids with a definite chemical composition and a regular, internal crystalline structure. The keys to this definition are the chemical composition and the crystalline structure. Different chemical compositions result in different minerals. A good example is the mineral plagioclase. Plagioclase is a member of the feldspar group, but there is more than one type of plagioclase. Albite and anorthite are two examples. Albite has a chemical composition of NaAlSi3O8, while anorthite's chemical composition is CaAl2Si2O8. Very similar, but different - therefore two different minerals.
Different crystalline structures, or how the atoms and molecules are arranged, result in different minerals. A good example is diamond and graphite. Both minerals are composed of carbon (C). The same chemical composition, but two different crystalline structures - therefore, two different minerals.
How to tell the difference:
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic compound with a unique chemical structure and physical properties. A rock is a solid, stony mass composed of a combination of minerals or other organic compounds. For example, quartz and feldspars are minerals, but when formed together, they make a rock, granite
Different crystalline structures, or how the atoms and molecules are arranged, result in different minerals. A good example is diamond and graphite. Both minerals are composed of carbon (C). The same chemical composition, but two different crystalline structures - therefore, two different minerals.
How to tell the difference:
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic compound with a unique chemical structure and physical properties. A rock is a solid, stony mass composed of a combination of minerals or other organic compounds. For example, quartz and feldspars are minerals, but when formed together, they make a rock, granite