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| '''Minerals''' are natural compounds formed through ] processes. The term "mineral" encompasses not only the material's ''chemical composition'' but also the ''crystalline atomic structure''. | '''Minerals''' are natural compounds formed through ] processes. The term "mineral" encompasses not only the material's '']'' but also the '']''. Minerals range in composition from elements and simple salts to very complex ]s (with most organic compounds usually excluded), with thousands of known forms. | ||
| ''Chemical composition'' refers to the elements of which the substance is composed. For example, common table salt is composed of sodium and chlorine, but this familiar chemical compound is also found in halite. Minerals range in composition from elements and simple salts to very complex silicates (with most organic compounds usually excluded), with thousands of known forms. | |||
| A mineral ''crystalline structure'' refers to the orderly spatial arrangement of atoms in its molecular structure. There are 14 basic arrangements of atoms in three dimensions, and all mineral structure recognised till now fit in one of these 14 arrangements. | A mineral ''crystalline structure'' refers to the orderly spatial arrangement of atoms in its molecular structure. There are 14 basic arrangements of atoms in three dimensions, and all mineral structure recognised till now fit in one of these 14 arrangements. | ||
Revision as of 00:54, 18 December 2002
Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. The term "mineral" encompasses not only the material's chemical composition but also the crystalline atomic structure. Minerals range in composition from elements and simple salts to very complex silicates (with most organic compounds usually excluded), with thousands of known forms.
A mineral crystalline structure refers to the orderly spatial arrangement of atoms in its molecular structure. There are 14 basic arrangements of atoms in three dimensions, and all mineral structure recognised till now fit in one of these 14 arrangements.
To be classified as a true mineral, a substance must be a solid and have a crystal structure. Mineral-like substances that don't strictly meet the definition are sometimes classified as mineraloids.
Minerals can be compared to rocks, which are usually mixtures of several different minerals.
The study of minerals is called mineralogy.
Photo from US Geological Survey
Some important rock-forming minerals include the feldspars, quartz, olivines, pyroxenes, garnets, micas, and calcite. Other well-known minerals include the wide variety of gemstones.
Trying to list all the minerals here would probably be counter-productive; maybe they can be linked from their chemical compositions (eg Silicon dioxide->Quartz, Chalcedony, Opal)?
The physical hardness of a mineral is usually measured on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
Dietary mineral refers to inorganic compounds necessary for life and good nutrition.
Some of these are scientific minerals as salt; others are elements, as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper.
These can be naturally occurring in food or added in elemental or mineral form to food, as calcium carbonate, iron fillings, etc.
Some of these additives are from natural sources as ground oyster shells for calcium carbonate.
Sometimes minerals are added to the diet separately from food, as vitamin and mineral supplements and in dirt eating, called pica or geophagy.
Selected Minerals
- Agate
- Analcim
- Barite
- Hematite
- Kainite, Kalsilite, Kamacite, Kaolinite, Keilhauite, Kernite, Kobellite, Kunzite
- Zircon