Matter and Minerals - Geology Home Page
Matter and Minerals - Geology Home Page
Matter and Minerals - Geology Home Page
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<strong>Matter</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Minerals</strong>
Objectives•Learn how the earth works.•Learn how to interpret l<strong>and</strong>scapes.•Realize impact of geology on !everyday life.•Underst<strong>and</strong> our impact on planet.
Determining Your GradeLecture (75%) Lab (25%)Test 1Test 2Test 3Final15%15%20%25%MidtermLab FinalQuizzes10%10%5%
Fundamental MaterialsAtomsElements<strong>Minerals</strong>Rockselementsmineralsrocks
Particle Atomic # Mass Chargeproton11+neutron010electron0 0-
The Elements• 92 naturally-occurring elements! defined by atomic number (Z)! behavior set by atomic structure! number of neutrons variable• building blocks of minerals!
Native elements are rare in nature.
Usually found combinedwith other elements tomake mineralsHaliteNaClCalciteCaCo3
The Big Eight: Weight Percent
The Big Eight
Why study minerals?Beauty <strong>and</strong> mysteryScientific interestIndustrial <strong>and</strong> economic
Characteristics of <strong>Minerals</strong>1 Naturally occurring2 Homogeneous solids3 Inorganic (mostly)4 Crystalline (±crystals)5 Fixed chemical composition
To be crystalline…All are crystalline. Only one exhibits crystals.
<strong>Minerals</strong> are defined by…• Chemical composition• Atomic structureTwo minerals may have the same composition,but different atomic structures; or identicalstructures but different compositions<strong>Minerals</strong> are chemical compounds.
HaliteNaClGalenaPbS
Important Mineral GroupsCommon silicates 89%Other silicates 3%Nonsilicates 8%
Common Silicates• SiO4 tetrahedron common to all• Most important rock forming minerals• Make up 95% of the crust by volume• Feldspars are the most abundant
SiO4 tetrahedronnet charge -4
Some silicate structures
Granite <strong>and</strong>basalt are thetwo mostcommon rocksin the earth’scrust. Both arecomposed almostentirely ofsilicate minerals.
Nonsilicates• Provide most mineral resources!• Occasional local abundance! concentrated by geologic processes! sites of mines <strong>and</strong> quarries• Easy to extract/low processing costs
limestone isnearly 100%calcite [CaCo3]average crustal abundanceof calcium is 3.63 wt%.
Average crustal abundance of gold = .0000003%,.096 ounces per 10,000 tons of rock.
ease of extraction/processing costsaluminum in bauxite vs. aluminum in feldspar
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