Minerals

1. What is a mineral?2. How do minerals form

?

How can minerals form?

Volcanic Activity Water Evapor

ation

Extreme Cold

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YES! Minerals from solutions

• A solution is a mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another. When water evaporates, elements and compounds that are dissolved in water are left behind and crystallization occurs.

BUT, they also form from…

YES! Minerals from magma and lava

• Minerals can form as hot magma cools inside the crust or as lava hardens on the surface of the Earth. The rate at which the magma cools, the amount of gas the magma contains, and the chemical composition of the magma all affect crystal size. Since lava is on the surface of the Earth, it will cool quickly and form minerals with small crystals.

BUT, they also form from…

NO, cold does not create minerals

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What is a mineral?

• A mineral must be:– naturally occurring– inorganic – solid – has a crystal structure– definite chemical composition.

Answer Question

Which of these is a mineral?

NO

• This is a maple leaf.• It is not a mineral

because it is ORGANIC.• A mineral must be

INORGANIC, never alive.

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NO

• This is water.• It is not a mineral

because it is not SOLID.• A mineral must be solid.

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NO

• This is steel.• It is not a mineral

because it is made by people.

• A mineral must be NATURALLY OCCURING.

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CORRECT!

• This is talc. • It is a very soft mineral

and easily powdered.

How do minerals form?