EARTH121 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Sylvite, Plaster, Orthoclase
25 Aug 2016
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Document Summary
Minerals: naturally occurring inorganic solids with definite chemical composition. In order for something to be a mineral it must meet the following 5 criteria: It must be a solid at surface temperature and pressures: must possess orderly internal structure ( atoms arranged in a definite pattern) Rocks: any solid mass of mineral or mineral like matter that occurs naturally on the planet is defined as a rock. Although a few rocks a few rocks are composed of only one mineral most rocks are aggregates of several minerals that retain their physical and chemical properties. Minerals are composed of an ordered array of atoms chemically bonded to form a particular crystalline structure. (this order is reflected by the crystals that are formed) Some elements are able to join together in different geometric structures resulting in the creation of minerals with the same chemical composition but different physical features.
