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5 Defining Characteristics of Minerals!
Created by Brittany Steinback
of Minerals!
1) Minerals are Naturally Formed Minerals are formed through naturally occuring processes within the earth. These processes include volcanic eruptions and weathering of pre-existing materials. Substances that are synthetically made are not considered true, pure minerals.
2) Minerals are Solids To be a mineral, a substance cannot have a changing structure. This is neccessary for a mineral to become a crystal. This is why liquids and gases are not considered minerals.
3) Minerals are Formed by Inorganic Processes To be formed inorganically, substances that were once living have to have their living tissues replaced by inorganic materials (minerals) after being buried. The best example of this is fossils.
4) Minerals have a specific chemical composition Minerals that are found in the earth are expressed through their chemical formula. For example, salt is written as NaCl. If you tried to replace Sodium with a different mineral, you would come up with a completley different makeup, making a completely different mineral
5) Minerals have a characteristic crystal structure The shape of a crystal is dependent on the make up of its atoms. The external appearance of crystals reflects a regular, repeating interal make up.
