Here are the five characteristics that define a mineral:
1. Naturally occurring: Minerals form through geological processes, not artificial creation.
2. Solid: Minerals are rigid and have a definite shape and volume.
3. Inorganic: Minerals are not derived from living organisms.
4. Definite chemical composition: Each mineral has a specific chemical formula, with consistent ratios of elements.
5. Ordered internal structure: Minerals have a regular, repeating arrangement of atoms, forming a crystal lattice.
Therefore, a rock cannot be classified as a mineral. Instead, rocks are aggregates of one or more minerals (like granite, which is made of quartz, feldspar, and mica) or non-mineral materials (like coal, which is made from organic matter).