What Is A Mineral Study Guide (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

B. The Structure of Minerals

1. The shape of a crystal depends on the arrangement of its ____atoms____ or ions.

a. When crystals are _____small_____, it is difficult to determine their shape.

b. Often, minerals do not develop in large crystals but in tiny _____clusters_____.

2. Common rock-forming minerals are made from elements that are _____abundant _____ in

Earth’s crust.

a. The two most abundant elements in Earth’s crust are _____silicon____ and

_____oxygen_____. A(n) _____silicate _____ is a mineral that contains silicon and oxygen

in its crystal structure, although it can also contain other elements.

b. The most common silicate mineral is _____feldspar_____.

c. Nonsilicates do not contain the element _____silicon_____.

C. How do minerals form?

1. Dissolved minerals in water can undergo _____crystallization_____, or solidify in an orderly

arrangement of atoms, when the water evaporates.

2. Minerals such as halite crystallize from _____cool_____ solutions.

a. As water flows over Earth or seeps into the ground, it ____dissolves _____ minerals.

b. When seawater becomes _____saturated____ with dissolved salts, the water cannot hold

any more salt.

c. Some marine organisms can remove salt from seawater and produce shells or

build a(n) _____reef_____.

3. Water that contains dissolved minerals can travel through _____cracks_____to hotter parts of the

crust. When conditions are right, minerals _____crystallize_____ out of the hot water, filling the

cracks.

4. Minerals can form when molten ____rock_____ cools and crystallizes.

a. _____Magma_____ is molten rock below Earth’s surface.

b. _____Lava_____ is magma that erupts onto Earth’s surface.

c. Cooled lava forms _____small_____ mineral crystals. Cooled magma

forms _____large_____ mineral crystals.

5. Some minerals form from solids deep in Earth’s crust and _____mantle_____.

a. These minerals are stable under conditions of high ____temperature_____

and high pressure.

b. If these minerals come to Earth’s surface, they become unstable and they can breakdown

through a process called _____erosion_____.

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