After going through this module, you are expected

to:
1.identify the examples of minerals;
2.explain the different characteristics of minerals;
3.differentiate minerals based on their properties;
and
4.develop awareness on the importance of minerals
around us.
What are Minerals?
Minerals are the building blocks of
rocks. Mineralogists use the
criteria to determine whether a
material is classified as a mineral
or not.
gold
copper
iron
chromite (made up of chromium,
iron and other metals)
nickel
platinum
The most productive copper
and gold producers in the
Philippines are found in
Baguio, the province of
Benguet, and in Surigao-
Davao areas.
Major producers
of nickel are in
Palawan and
Surigao.
nonmetallic
minerals
Gravel & sand
limestone
marble
clay
5 th
mineral country in
the world
5 th
nickel
3rd
Gold reserve
4thcopper
Characteristics of Minerals

1.naturally occurring- a
product of Earth’s
natural processes
Characteristics of Minerals

2. inorganic- it must be
product of Earth’s
physical processes.
Characteristics of Minerals

3. homogeneous solid-
minerals should have
definite volume and rigid
shape
Characteristics of Minerals

4. definite chemical
composition—represented
by a chemical formula
Characteristics of Minerals

5. orderly crystalline structure-

atoms of minerals are arranged
in an orderly and repeating
pattern
Characteristics of Minerals

5. orderly crystalline structure-

atoms of minerals are arranged
in an orderly and repeating
pattern
Properties of Minerals
To identify minerals, mineralogists
observe the following properties:
a. Color - mineral’s color may
change depending on the surface.
Properties of Minerals

b. Streak - color of
mineral in powdered
form.
Properties of Minerals

c. Hardness - minerals
resistance to scratching
Mohs Scale of Hardness
(Diamond is the Hardest with a scale of 10)
10 - Diamond 5 - Apatite
9 - Corundum 4 - Fluorite
8 - Topaz 3 - Calcite
7 - Quartz 2 - Gypsum
6 - Orthoclase 1 - Talc
Properties of Minerals
d. Cleavage - mineral’s
resistance to being
broken and fracture
Properties of Minerals

e. Crystalline
structure or habit
Properties of Minerals
f. Diaphaneity/amount of
transparency - ability to allow light
to pass through it. This is affected
by chemical makeup of the mineral
sample.
Properties of Minerals

g. Luster - how light is

reflected off a surface
Properties of Minerals
h. Tenacity - describes
the minerals reaction to
stress.
 Tenacity

Brittleness- a
mineral turns into
powder
 Tenacity
Malleability a mineral
can be flattened by
pounding with a hammer.
Properties of Minerals

Ductility- A mineral
can be stretched into
wire.
 Tenacity
Flexible but inelastic-
Minerals are bent but
they remain in the new
position.
 Tenacity
Flexible and elastic-
Minerals are bent, and they
bring back to their original
position.
 Tenacity

Sectility- ability of
minerals to be sliced by
a knife.
Give at least 3 uses of the following minerals
1. Gold
2. Copper
3. Iron
4. Gravel and sand
5. Clay