ROCK-FORMING MINERALS

When we hear the word “Rock”, what comes into your mind?
-To geologists, a rock is a natural substance composed of solid crystals of different minerals that have been fused
together into a solid lump.

How do rocks get their shape? What makes certain rocks valuable? Why are rocks so hard? Are
rocks and minerals the same?
Are rocks and minerals the same?
-Partly, because rocks compose the Earth’s lithosphere. On the other hand, Minerals are the building
blocks of rocks. We use minerals in hundreds of ways, from building the streets to cooking our food. Almost
everything we use is made up of minerals
-A mineral is a substance found naturally with unique atomic structures, elemental composition, and
physical properties. Meanwhile, rocks are generally made up of two of more minerals, mixed up through
geological processes. Minerals have two types of properties. First one is its PHYSICAL PROPERTIES.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS

We can identify them by their color, Crystal Habit, Streak, Hardness, Lustre and Cleavage

Not only do we can identify them by their outer structure but we can also classify them by their
chemical composition and internal crystal structure.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND INTERNAL CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A MINERAL

 Now take note that there are 7 Major Mineral Groups: Silicates, Native Elements, Halides,
Carbonates, Oxides, Sulfates, Sulfides.

Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks

How different are these types of rocks

-Igneous rocks are formed from melted rock deep inside the Earth. High temperatures inside
the crust of the Earth cause rocks to melt, and this is known as magma. Magma is the molten
material that erupts during a volcano. Igneous rocks are formed when magma (or molten
rocks) cools down, and become solid.

-Sedimentary rocks are formed from layers of sand, silt, dead plants, and animal skeletons.
They are formed slowly from the sediments, dust and dirt of other rocks. The Earth's material
is constantly exposed to erosion and weathering, and the resulting accumulated loose
particles eventually settle, and form Sedimentary rocks

-Metamorphic rocks formed from other rocks that are changed by heat and pressure
underground.