Minerals

What is a Mineral?
Definition:

Mineral Physical Properties

Physical aspects of a mineral, based on chemical composition and crystalline structure
Physical Properties
Color
Streak
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Hardness
Crystal Form
Other - Specific Gravity, Magnetism, Taste, Hydrochloric acid - HCl, Radioactivity, Fluorescence

Important Crustal Minerals

Feldspar Group (Plagioclase and Orthoclase)
Quartz
Calcite and Dolomite
Pyroxene Group (Augite)
Amphibole Group (Hornblende)
Mica Group (Biotite and Muscovite)
Olivine
Halite - "Salt"
Gypsum

Rocks

What is a rock?
Definition:

Identification of Rocks

Composition and Texture

Composition

Chemical composition - what is the rock's chemical composition?
Particle composition - what is the material that makes up the rock?

Texture

The over-all appearance of the rock - Large crystals vs. small crystals - Layering vs. no layering

Major Rock Types

There are three major groupings of rocks
1)
2)
3)
They are all related together by processes of formation in the Rock Cycle.

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