Atom
the smallest particle into which an element can be divided while still retaining the chemical characteristics of that element.
Nucleus
is at the center of an atom, contains one or more particles with a positive electrical charge (protons) and usually some particles of similar mass that have no charge (neutrons).
Electrons
negatively charged and circles the nucleus.
Atomic Mass Number
the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons in a nucleus.
Ion
when the atom has a positive (cations) or negative (anions) electrical charge.
Compound
a chemical combination of two or more chemical elements. bonded together in particular proportions, that had a distinct set of physical proportions.
Ionic Bonding
bond is based on the electrical attraction between oppositely charged ions.
Covalent Bonding
bonds between atoms that form if the atoms share electrons.
Mineral
a natural occurring, inorganic, solid element or compound with a definite chemical composition and a regular internal crystal structure.
Organic
a carbon based life form.
Cleavage
a distinctive way some minerals may break up when struck.
Streak
the color of the powdered mineral as revealed when the mineral is scraped across a piece of unglazed tile.
Hardness
the ability to resist scratching.
Color
the actual color of the mineral.
Luster
the appearance of the surfaces -- glassy, metallic, pearly, etc.
Density
mineral weight over weight of equal water volume.
Silicates
largest compositional group of minerals and contains two of the most common elements in earth's crust: oxygen and silicon.
Ferromagnesian
the general term used to describe silicates with iron and magnesium, that are usually a darker color.
Non-Silicates
do not have silicon and oxygen in their chemical formulas, but like silicates, each mineral non-silicates group is defined by some chemical constituent or characteristic that all members of the group have in common.
Carbonates
all contain carbon and oxygen combined in the proportions of one atom of carbon to three atoms of oxygen.
Sulfates
all contain sulfur and oxygen in the ratio of 1:4.
Sulfides
the mineral that occurs when sulfur is present without oxygen.
Oxides
minerals containing just one or more metals combined with oxygen, and lacking the other elements necessary to classify them as silicates, sulfates, carbonates, and so forth.
Native Elements
minerals that consist of a single chemical element, and the minerals' names are usually the same as the corresponding element. Can NOT be bonded.
Bowen's Reaction Series
at a certain temperature, minerals become stable.
Crystalline Structure
atoms in a mineral are specifically ordered.
Crystals
rare minerals displaying flat external faces and form best in open cavities.
5 recognized types of bonds
1. covalent
2. ionic
3. metallic
4. Van der Walls
5. hydrogen
Fracture
how a mineral breaks without cleavage because there is no plane of weakness.
Rock
a solid cohesive aggregate of one or more minerals, or mineral materials.
Igneous Rock
a rock crystallized from molten material, formed at high temperatures.
Keys: interlocking crystals
Identify by: composition and texture
Examples: granite, gabbro, bassalt, rhyolite
Sedimentary Rock
a rock formed from sediment, debris of preexisting rocks deposited at low temperatures at the earth's surface.
Keys: composed of clasts of other rocks
Identify by: grain size, shape and composition
Example: sandstone, conglomerate, shale and limestone
Rock Cycle
rocks are continually being changed by geological processes.
Metamorphic Rock
a rock formed from the deformation of pre-existing rocks due to heat and pressure.
Keys: foliation (apparent stacking or banding)
Identify by: severity of deformation and composition
Example: gneiss, schist, slate, phyllite and marble