Mineral Properties, Structure, and Earth Composition Facts

Posted on Oct 7, 2025 in Geology

Mineral Properties, Structure, and Identification

Part 1: Atomic Structure and Physical Properties

  • Laboratory Tools for Studying Internal Mineral Structure: X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
  • Primary Mineral Formation Process: Crystallization.
  • Mineral Formation from Gas (Volcanic Fumes): Sublimation (e.g., sulfur crystals).
  • Requirement NOT Part of the Geologic Definition of a True Mineral: Ability to be duplicated synthetically in the laboratory.
  • Limitation of Color in Mineral Identification: Many minerals exhibit a wide range of natural colors.
  • Properties Resulting Directly from Orderly Internal Structure: Crystal faces and cleavage planes.
  • Composition of Rocks: Rocks are made of minerals, which are combinations of elements.
  • Mineral Breakage in Preferred Planar Directions: Cleavage.
  • Hardness Difference (Diamond vs. Graphite): They possess different strengths of atomic bonds, despite identical composition.
  • Halite Formation Process (Salty Lakes): Evaporation.
  • Mineral Property Describing Light Reflection: Luster.
  • Mohs Scale Measurement: Mineral hardness.
  • Factors Determining Atomic Bonding Likelihood: Atomic radius and atomic charge.
  • Tool NOT Used to Assess Mineral Hardness: Hammer. (Common tools include fingernail, glass plate, and steel nail.)
  • Specific Gravity of Galena (7.6): It is 7.6 times heavier than an equal volume of water.
  • Characteristics of Minerals with Strong Atomic Bonds: High hardness and high melting temperatures.
  • Importance of Ore Minerals: They are mined specifically for their metal content.
  • Crystalline Material vs. Glass: Crystalline materials possess a more orderly atomic structure.
  • Mineral Property Related to Atomic Bond Strength: Hardness.
  • Tool Used to Determine Mineral Streak: Porcelain plate.

Mineral Classification and Earth Composition

Part 2: Elemental Abundance and Mineral Classes

  • Most Abundant Elements in Earth’s Crust: Silicon (Si) and Oxygen (O).
  • Industrial Uses of Native Copper: Electrical wiring, water pipes, and cookware bottoms.
  • Why Color is Unreliable for Identification: Many minerals can exhibit a wide range of natural colors.
  • Primary Rock-Forming Mineral Class: Silicates.
  • Properties of Minerals with Strong Bonds: High hardness and high melting temperatures.
  • Silica Tetrahedra Configuration for Sheet Cleavage: Sheets.
  • Breaking in Preferred Planar Directions: Cleavage.
  • Defining Characteristics of a Gem Mineral: Rarity, color, and clarity.
  • Property Describing Light Reflection: Luster.
  • Elemental Abundance Shift (Crust to Whole-Earth): Oxygen and silicon decrease, while iron increases.
  • Uniqueness of Native Element Minerals: They are pure substances, not combinations of elements.
  • Specific Gravity Interpretation (Galena): 7.6 times heavier than an equal volume of water.
  • Atomic Building Block of Silicate Minerals: Silica tetrahedron.
  • Minerals with Uniform Bond Strength in All Directions: Tend to fracture.
  • Percentage of Crust Composed of Si and O: Approximately 75%.
  • Tool for Generating Mineral Streak Powder: Porcelain plate.
  • Mineral NOT Considered a Precious Gem: Garnet.
  • Most Common Element in the Universe: Hydrogen.
  • Mineral NOT Expected in Felsic Granite (Continental Lithosphere): Amphibole.
  • Economic Use of Gypsum: Plaster and sheetrock (drywall).