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What is a Mineral ?
Goethite (FeO(OH))
Mineral properties
The appearance and physical behaviour of minerals are directly related
to their chemical composition and bonding characteristics of their
components.
Hardness
Crystal form
Manner of Breakage (Cleavage/Fracture)
Lustre
Colour
Reaction to Acid
Note: for this particular course, I will not expect you to remember
chemical formulae, but anything else is fair game unless otherwise noted
(including the basic components of minerals where given).
Hardness
One of the most useful diagnostic properties is hardness (a measure of
the resistance of minerals to abrasion or scratching).
Hardness is measured in units of Mohs scale of hardness (a relative
scale developed by geologist Frederick Mohs based on the ability of
harder minerals to scratch softer minerals). Hardness reflects, to some
extent, the strength of bonds within a mineral.
Some minerals can have the same composition, but have different
crystal structures. For example, both diamond and graphite are pure
carbon. But they are obviously very different minerals ! Minerals with
the same composition but different crystal stucture are called
polymorphs.
Amphibole Calcite
(not at 90O) (not at 90)
Pyroxene 90o
(Mg,Fe)SiO3
2 cleavages at 90o
Stacking of single-chain units
120o 60o
Amphibole
Ca2(FeMg)5Si8O22 (OH)2
2 cleavages (60o and 120o)
Stacking of double-chain units
Fracture
Scoop-shaped
Conchoidal fracture
fracture in surfaces
quartz
Lustre
For example, the nacre made by molluscs (pearls and mother of pearl)
has a soft, pearly lustre that results from aragonite crystals acting as little
prisms within the material.
Large pyrite crystals have Quartz has a vitreous In the form of nacre,
a metallic lustre (glass-like) lustre aragonite has a pearly lustre
Colour
Pyrite Galena
FeS2 PbS
Colour
Fluorite
CaF2
Reaction with acid: some minerals will effervesce (fizz)
when reacted with acid. Calcite (CaCO3) and a similar-
looking carbonate mineral, dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) react
with acid, but only calcite fizzes violently (dolomite has to
be powdered before it fizzes)
calcite (CaCO3)
dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2)
Reaction of limestone
(made of calcite) with
dilute hydrochloric acid.
Optical properties: some minerals, such as calcite
(CaCO3), will produce a double image when an object is
viewed through its crystals.
This is due to the splitting of light rays as they pass through the
calcite crystal.
For example,