1. Naturally Occurring: Minerals form through geological processes, not through human intervention.
2. Inorganic: Minerals are not derived from living organisms.
3. Solid: Minerals are solid at room temperature (exceptions exist, like mercury, but they are less common).
4. Crystalline Structure: Minerals have a definite, repeating internal arrangement of atoms. This arrangement gives rise to the distinctive shapes of crystals.
5. Definite Chemical Composition: Each mineral has a specific chemical formula that describes the types and proportions of elements it contains.
Bonus: There is also an additional characteristic that's often mentioned:
* Homogeneous: Minerals are uniform throughout, meaning they have the same chemical composition and physical properties throughout their structure.
Let me know if you'd like more information on any of these characteristics!
