What is a Mineral?

Single element minerals

copper, silver, and gold

Characteristic 4

Crystal structure. The particles of a mineral line up in a pattern that repeats over and over again. The repeating pattern of a mineral's particles forms a solid called a crystal.

Characteristic 2

The mineral cannot arise from materials that were once part of a living thing.A mineral is inorganic.

How many minerals have geologists identified?

3,000

Compound

A compound is a substance made of 2 or more elements that are combined. Each compound has its own properties, completely different from the elements that formed it.

Characteristic 5

A mineral always contains certain elements in definite proportions. An element is a substance composed of a single kind of atom.

Characteristic 3

A mineral is always a solid, with a definite volume and shape. A solid keeps its shape.

Mineral

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition.

Characteristic 1

A substance must occur naturally. A mineral cannot be manufactured by humans.

Atom

An atom is the smallest part of an element that has all of the properties of that element.

Element

An element is a substance composed of a single knid of atom.

How many minerals are known as common minerals?

100