1. Naturally Occurring: Minerals are formed through natural geological processes, not by human intervention.
2. Solid: Minerals have a definite shape and volume and resist changes in shape under normal conditions.
3. Inorganic: Minerals are not derived from living organisms.
4. Specific Chemical Composition: Each mineral has a specific chemical formula that defines its constituent elements and their proportions. For example, quartz is always SiO2 (silicon dioxide).
5. Crystalline Structure: Minerals have an ordered, repeating arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules forming a crystal lattice. This arrangement results in characteristic physical properties, such as cleavage and hardness.
Examples of Minerals:
* Quartz: SiO2 (silicon dioxide)
* Feldspar: (K,Na,Ca)(Al,Si)4O8 (various combinations of potassium, sodium, calcium, aluminum, and silicon)
* Halite: NaCl (sodium chloride)
* Calcite: CaCO3 (calcium carbonate)
* Gold: Au (gold)
Substances that are NOT minerals:
* Water (H2O): Though naturally occurring, it is a liquid.
* Sugar (C12H22O11): Though solid, it is organic and created by living organisms.
* Glass: Though solid and inorganic, it lacks a crystalline structure.
* Plastic: Though solid, it is synthetic and not naturally occurring.
Understanding these characteristics helps us distinguish between minerals and other naturally occurring materials.
