Name: Kathleen Mae R.

Dalida Earth Science

Grade & Section: STEM 11-04 Mr. Arnel Rendon

Earth Science

1. What is a mineral? what is a rock? Is water a mineral?

A mineral is a naturally occurring material that has specific chemical and physical
characteristics, composition, and atomic structure. An economic mineral is a larger term
that covers minerals, metals, rocks, and hydrocarbons (solid and liquid) collected from
the soil by mining, quarrying, and pumping. Economic minerals are employed in a variety
of purposes, including building, industry, agriculture, and energy supply.
A rock is a solid mass of geological materials. Individual mineral crystals, inorganic non-
mineral solids such as glass, bits split from other rocks, and even fossils are examples
of geological materials. Geological materials in rocks might be inorganic or biological,
such as partially decayed plant stuff stored in coal. A rock can be made up of simply one
type of geological element or mineral, although many are made up of multiple.

Water is not classed as a mineral since it lacks a crystal structure due to its liquid state.

2. What are the three categories of rocks? Differentiate each.

Igneous — they form from the cooling of magma deep inside the earth. They often have
large crystals (you can see them with the naked eye).
Metamorphic — they are formed through the change (metamorphosis) of igneous and
sedimentary rocks. They can form both underground and at the surface.
Sedimentary — they are formed through the solidification of sediment. They can be
formed from organic remains (such as limestone), or from the cementing of other rocks.

3. Discuss the origin and environment of formation of common minerals and rocks.

Quartz, feldspar, and mica are some of the most common minerals found in nature. These
three prevalent rock-forming minerals can be found in both sedimentary and granitic
rocks, such as sandstone and real granite. If they are found in granite, they were most
likely created in molten circumstances deep below the earth's crust, such as in the
mantle's zone of subduction. As the liquid material or magma traveled up through the
crust, it cooled as it came into contact with cold hardened country rocks closer to the
 surface, and as it cooled, minerals formed—first high temperature minerals like
plagioclase feldspar, and then gradually lower temperature minerals.

4. Identify common rock-forming minerals using their physical and chemical properties.

Physical properties
Physical properties are important while working in the field, where advanced analytical
procedures are frequently unavailable. Although multiple versions of the same mineral
exist, the fundamental physical attributes remain the same. Color, streak, luster, specific
gravity, hardness, cleavage, tenacity, and crystal habit are all useful physical features to
identify a mineral.
Color

The color of a mineral is one of its most obvious properties. The presence of trace
elements or compounds within a mineral can occasionally generate color. Quartz, for
example, comes in a range of colors. The varied colors of the quartz samples are the
consequence of different trace components. Iron is found in various amounts and shapes
in red jasper, purple amethyst, and orange citrine. Manganese or titanium can be found
in rose quartz. Milky quartz, on the other hand, has a milky appearance because to the
countless bubbles of gas and liquid trapped within the crystal. Color is one of the least
trustworthy indicators of a mineral's identity in general.
Luster

When light is reflected on a mineral's surface, luster refers to the relative variances in
opacity and transparency. The 'sparkles' of mineral surfaces are described in this way.
The luster of a mineral refers to how it reflects light from its surface. Metallic luster and
nonmetallic luster are the two types of luster. Like chrome trim on cars, silver, gold,
copper, and galena have gleaming surfaces that reflect light. As a result, they are
described as having a metallic brilliance. Metals are not all metallic minerals. Their
surfaces are said to have a metallic shine if they have a gleaming appearance similar to
metals. Sphalerite, for example, is a non-metal mineral with a metallic sheen.
Minerals having nonmetallic lusters, such as calcite, gypsum, sulfur, and quartz, do not
reflect light in the same way as metals do. Nonmetallic lusters might be dull, pearly,
waxy, smooth, or earthy in appearance. Discrepancies in the chemical makeup of
minerals produce luster differences. The process of describing the shine of nonmetallic
minerals is subjective. A mineral, for example, that seems waxy to one person may not
appear waxy to another. When identifying a mineral, luster should be utilized in
conjunction with other physical properties.
Hardness

Hardness is one of the most effective and reliable tests for identifying minerals. The
hardness of a mineral is determined by how easily it can be scratched. Friedrich Mohs, a
German geologist, devised a scale for comparing the hardness of unknown minerals to
the known hardness of 10 minerals. The minerals that make up the Mohs scale of mineral
hardness were chosen because they are easily recognizable and, with the exception of
diamond, are abundant in nature.
Talc

Talc is one of the softest minerals and can be scraped with a fingernail, hence it is a 1 on
the Mohs scale. Diamond, on the other hand, is so hard that it can be used as a sharpener
and a cutting tool; it is a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. A mineral with a hardness of
2 or less can be scratched with your fingernail. A mineral with a hardness of 5.5 to 2.
5 cannot be scratched by your fingernail and cannot scratch glass. Finally, a mineral with
a hardness greater than 5.5 scratches glass. Other common objects, such as those
included in the table, can assist you in determining a more precise hardness and offer
you with further information to identify an unfamiliar mineral. In some cases, a sample
will contain more than one mineral. If this is the case, testing many areas of the sample
is a good idea. You can be sure you're testing the hardness of the mineral you're
researching this way.
Cleavage and fracture

The way a mineral break is also determined by its atomic arrangement. Minerals fracture
along weak atomic bonding planes. Cleavage is a term used to describe a mineral that
splits relatively easily and evenly along one or more flat planes. Geologists count the
number of cleft planes and analyze the angle or angles between them to identify a
mineral based on its cleavage. Mica, for instance, exhibits excellent cleavage in one
direction. Because of weak atomic bonding, it splits into sheets. Halite is cubic in
cleavage, meaning it fractures in three directions along weak atomic attraction lines.
Quartz

Quartz, breaks unevenly along jagged edges because of its tightly bonded atoms.
Minerals that break with rough or jagged edges are said to have fracture. Flint, jasper,
and chalcedony (kal SEH duh nee) (microcrystalline forms of quartz) exhibit a unique
fracture with arc like patterns resembling clamshells. This fracture is called conchoidal
(kahn KOY duhl) fracture and is diagnostic in identifying the rocks and minerals that
exhibit it.
Streak

When a mineral is rubbed across an unglazed porcelain plate, a colorful powdery streak
appears on the plate's surface. When a mineral is broken up and powdered, it takes on
the color streak. A nonmetallic mineral's stripe is usually white. When it comes to
recognizing metallic minerals, streak comes in handy. A metallic mineral's streak may
not always match its exterior hue. The mineral hematite, for example, comes in two
unique forms, each with its own characteristic appearance. Hematite is a rusty red
mineral with an earthy feel that originates as a result of weathering and exposure to air
and water. Hematite, which produced when magma crystallizes, has a silvery, metallic
appearance. When examined, both types produce a reddish-brown streak. Only minerals
that are softer than a porcelain plate can be tested using the streak test. Another reason
why streak cannot be used to identify all minerals is because of this.
Specific Gravity

Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of the mineral to the weight of the water with an
equal volume.

Chemical Properties of Minerals

The crystal structure of all minerals has a certain arrangement of components. They can
be represented by a chemical formula, which shows the atomic proportions that make
them up. The mineral quartz, for example, has the chemical formula SiO2. It has a
continuous framework of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra in its crystal structure. Material
chemical characteristics are determined by the chemical formula and crystal structure
of the mineral. It has a continuous framework of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra in its crystal
structure. Material chemical characteristics are determined by the chemical formula and
crystal structure of the mineral. Chemical parameters such as solubility and melting
point are widely employed to define minerals.
Solubility

The capacity of a substance to dissolve in a solvent at a specific temperature is referred

to as solubility. Biotite, a mineral typically found in igneous rocks, is soluble in acid and
basic solutions, for example. The loosely bound potassium ions in the mineral are
released during the dissolving process.
Melting Point

The temperature at which a solid transform into a liquid is known as the melting point.
Minerals with high melting points are made up of atoms that are closely linked inside the
crystal structure. Quartz, for example, melts at temperatures above 1670°C. Chemical and
 instrumental analysis can be used in the laboratory to determine the composition and
crystal structure of minerals.
Crystallographic techniques

Crystallographic techniques such as X-ray diffraction are performed to determine the

crystal structure of the mineral.

5. Identify the minerals important to society and how they are utilized.

Mineral resources are amongst the most important natural resources that dictate the
Industrial and economic development of a country because they provide raw materials
to the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy.
minerals are an important part of human nutrition. Iron, manganese, selenium, and
calcium all provide day-to-day nutrients that the body needs in order to function.

Mineral resources are essential to our modern industrial society and they are used
everywhere. For example, at breakfast you drink some juice in a glass (made from
melted quartz sand), eat from a ceramic plate (created from clay minerals heated at
high temperatures), sprinkle salt (halite) on your eggs, use steel utensils (from iron ore
and other minerals), read a magazine (coated with up to 50% kaolinite clay to give the
glossy look), and answer your cellphone (containing over 40 different minerals including
copper, silver, gold, and platinum). We need minerals to make cars, computers,
appliances, concrete roads, houses, tractors, fertilizer, electrical transmission lines, and
jewelry
• Minerals like iron are used for constructing purpose.
• Minerals like aluminum are used in making body of aeroplane etc.
• Minerals like gold are used to make jewelry, coins etc.
• Minerals like copper are used in making electric wires, coins, jewelry etc.
• Minerals like lead is used in making batteries, ammunition etc.

6. Describe how ore minerals are found, mined, and processed for human use.

When miners find rock containing mineral ore, they first extract the rock from the earth.
This can be a huge process, sometimes displacing millions of tons of dirt. The rock is
then crushed by powerful machinery. Metal is extracted from the crushed ore by one of
two major methods: smelting or electrolysis.
Crushing and grinding are the two primary comminution processes. Crushing is
normally carried out on “run-of-mine” ore, while grinding (normally carried out after
crushing) may be conducted on dry or slurred material.
 Ore is natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals, typically
containing metals, that can be mined, treated and sold at a profit. Ore is extracted from
the earth through mining and treated or refined, often via smelting, to extract the
valuable metals or minerals.

7. Cite ways to prevent or lessen the environmental impact that result from the
exploitation, extraction, and use of mineral resources.
As is well known, our planet is endowed with an abundance of natural resources. There
are several methods in which we might conserve our diverse natural resources in this
manner. Water is essential to life. Without water, no one can imagine the existence of
life. This is one of nature's most treasured treasures.

Water has become significantly depleted in the modern world as a result of

overpopulation and abuse. We may, however, conserve it in a variety of ways.

• Install water-efficient shower heads and faucets at home.

• Practice rain water harvesting.
• Practice a Drip irrigation system to avoid excessive evaporation and excessive use of
water in irrigation.
• Avoid watering pollution.
• Reuse Graywater for watering plants and flushing toilets.
Other natural resources include forest natural resources. Forests are the habitat of a
wide range of biodiversity and deserved to be respected and conserved.

• Protect forests from fire.

• Stop commercial deforestation, however, practices like selective cutting, clear-cutting
and shelter wood cutting are beneficial.
• Government should regulate forest-cutting practice.
• Protect forests from unorganized grazing and overgrazing.

Fossil Fuels hold great esteem in natural resources. The development and progress is
on the account of fossil fuel. We can conserve fossil fuel in several ways.

• Avoid idling
• Always buy fuel-efficient Automobiles
• Make maximum use of public transportation.
• Use Air conditioners in the car only when necessary.
• We can conserve natural resources in many other ways as well.
• Avoid the use of toxic chemicals.
 • Stop littering.
• Say no to plastic.
• Prepare Compost pits at your house.
• Reduce the use of processed food.
• Recycle as much as you can.

8. Make a plan that the community may use to conserve and protect its resources for future
generations.
Natural resources are a priceless gift from nature to humanity. The biosphere is made
up of natural resources and living beings that are depending on one another. We should
use them wisely for our advantage while avoiding depletion. The only way to achieve
harmony and balance with nature is to protect our natural resources.

"Natural resources" are frequently classified as "renewable" and "non-renewable"

natural resources, with renewable being those that continuously collect solar energy
(such as wind, hydropower, and plant photosynthesis) and non-renewable being those
that are destroyed by their usage (fossil fuels and many minerals). However, keep in mind
that they all contribute to the well-being of life, particularly of people. We must be
concerned with their preservation as well as their sensible (non-wasteful or damaging)
usage. Today, there is considerable evidence that some people overuse and despoil
natural resources, while others suffer from a scarcity of them. We live on a small, finite
planet and it’s in our interest to care for it and use it wisely.
Sustainability is a great benefit to humans because it means the tragedy of the commons
will not deplete essential food and shelter. For example, if you do not regulate fishing the
stocks will be lost to future generations. If we do not plant new trees, there will be no
forests for the future. If we pollute the rivers there will be no drinking water and so on.
Some of the ways of conservation of our natural resources are:
(i) They should be protected from being polluted.
(ii) More and more vegetation should be planted and endangered species of plants and
animals should be protected.
(iii) The wild animals should be conserved by establishing national parks and sanctuaries.
(iv) Hunting of animals should be prohibited.
(v) Recycling of waste materials must be encouraged.
(vi) We should use alternative sources of energy rather than conventional sources like
fossil fuels.
9. Prepare a plan that the community may implement to minimize waste when people
utilize materials and resources.
1. Use a reusable bottle/cup for beverages on-the-go
You can utilize that reusable bottle, saving money and reducing waste. By bringing your
own water, you limit your chances of purchasing more expensive beverages on the
move. This will eliminate the need for the single-use containers they arrive in. While
most cans and bottles can be recycled, they need a significant amount of energy to make,
transport to the bottling factory, and then to the shop for purchase.

2. Use reusable grocery bags, and not just for groceries

You may already have a reusable grocery bag, similar to a reusable water bottle, but it
is sometimes left at home. Try writing BAGS at the top of your grocery list to help you
remember, or store them in the rear car where they are less likely to be forgotten. Many
grocery stores will give you a 5 cent per bag refund, so you'll save a few cents while
minimizing your use of single-use plastic bags.

3. Purchase wisely and recycle

You may limit the amount of trash you generate by selecting items with less packing
and/or in recyclable packaging.

4. Compost it!
Compostable items include fruit and vegetable waste, egg shells, coffee grounds, grass
clippings, and leaves. You'll save money on fertilizer, and if you produce your own
veggies, you'll probably receive better harvests. The organic matter will also function as
a sponge, absorbing more water, which means you won't have to water your plants as
frequently, saving you money and time.

5. Avoid single-use food and drink containers and utensils

Avoid using single-use coffee cups, disposable utensils, straws, and napkins wherever
feasible.

6. Buy secondhand items and donate used goods

Before you buy something new, think about buying it used, which might save you a lot of
money. By purchasing used products, you will be helping local charities as well as
preventing items from ending up in the landfill.
 DON’T FORGET TO CITE YOUR REFERENCES.

https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mineralsYou/whatAre.html
https://openpress.usask.ca/physicalgeology/chapter/6-1-what-is-a-rock/
https://www.minerals.net/mineral/water.aspx
https://www.zmescience.com/science/geology/types-of-rock/
https://brainly.com/question/4203945
https://m.facebook.com/notes/earth-and-life-science/21-rock-forming-
minerals/1970440293192617/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-monroe-
environmentalbiology/chapter/minerals/
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-is-the-importance-of-minerals-2/
https://www.mvorganizing.org/how-are-ore-minerals-found-mined-and-processed-
for-human-use-2/
https://www.quora.com/Why-should-we-protect-nature-resources-for-future-
generations
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-
states/delaware/stories-in-delaware/delaware-eight-ways-to-reduce-waste/