NAME: Graphite

CHARACTERISTICS:
1. grayish-black in color and it splits with very light pressure.
2. is flexible but not elastic
3. extremely resistant to heat and opaque
4. valuable in nuclear applications and electronic products
5. has a very low specific gravity (https://geology.com/minerals/graphite.shtml#:~:text=Graphite%20is
%20a%20naturally-occurring%20form%20of%20crystalline%20carbon.,pressure%2C%20and
%20has%20a%20very%20low%20specific%20gravity.)
SIGNIFICANCE: Pencils contain graphite that can be used in drawing, sketching, and writing.
NAME: Gypsum
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. can be extremely colorless and transparent
2. quite large and is a very soft mineral
3. valued in ornaments and jewelries (https://geology.com/minerals/gypsum.shtml#:~:text=Gypsum
%20is%20an%20evaporite%20mineral%20most%20commonly%20found,contains%20two
%20waters%20and%20anhydrite%20is%20without%20water.)
SIGNIFICANCE: Interior walls are made of gypsum because it allows a longer working time/setting time for
cement which is used for interior walls
 (google.com)
NAME: Phosphate
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. usually crystallize from aqueous fluids derived from the late stages of crystallization. 
2. are the second largest group of cave minerals after sulfates
3. is often strongly colored
4. and average in hardness (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/phosphate)
SIGNIFICANCE: Phosphate is used in fertilizers because it stimulates plant growth. Along with nitrogen and
potassium, phosphorus is one of the three key nutrients that plants need.
NAME: Quartz
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. has high purity level of silicon dioxide
2. most common and abundant mineral in the world
3. excellent insulating material
4. occurs as prismatic hexagonal crystals in compact masses
(https://geology.com/minerals/quartz.shtml)
SIGNIFICANCE: Quartz is used in clocks because regulates the movement of a watch or clock by creating a
signal with very accurate and precise frequency compared to mechanical clocks.
NAME: Silica
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. has very high melting and boiling point
2. is a solid and crystallized mineral under normal conditions
3. colorless but if contaminants are present, it may be colored (https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-
is-silica-properties-definition-quiz.html)
SIGNIFICANCE: Silica is mostly used in glasses and windows to improve its strength and to make quality
windows.