Minerals
Minerals are chemical elements that form naturally in the Earth as solids. Minerals can be compounds of elements or compounds of compounds. The word mineral originates from the Latin word mīnērālēs, which means a mineral. Minerals are usually formed in rocks and other solid features in the Earths crust.
There are more than 4,000 different types of minerals on Earth. The most common minerals are quartz, feldspar, mica, olivine, clay, calcite, and gypsum. Quartz is found in a variety of rock forms, including pegmatite and granite. Feldspar is also found in many different rock forms and is used in glass, ceramics, and some decorative stones. Mica is made up of numerous thin sheets, and is commonly found in schist and phyllite. Oliovine is a group of magnesium and iron silicates that are typically found in basalt and peridotites. Clay minerals are composed of layered silicates and are found in sedimentary rocks. Calcite is composed of calcium carbonate and is a common component of limestone and chalk. Finally, gypsum is a sulfate mineral and can be found in evaporite deposits.
Minerals are typically divided into two classes; native elements and compounds. Native elements are minerals composed of only one type of element, such as copper, diamond, and gold. Most native elements are not common in nature and are usually found in deposits. Compounds are minerals composed of two or more elements, such as salts and oxides. The majority of all minerals, however, are compounds.
Minerals form in nature by numerous processes, including crystallization, erosion, and evaporation. Crystallization is the process of elements combining and forming crystals as the result of pressure and temperature changes in rocks and other sediment. Erosion is the process of grains from a rock being carried away by gravity or other natural forces. And finally, evaporation is the process of liquid water being removed from a surface, leaving behind minerals and other solids.
In addition to their natural formation, minerals can also be extracted from the Earth through mining or quarrying. Mining is the process of removing minerals from the Earth, while quarrying is the process of removing rock material from the Earth. Mining is generally a more expensive process than quarrying, since it usually involves the use of heavy machinery to access minerals that are buried deep in the Earth.
Minerals have many uses in society. Metals, such as iron and aluminum, are used to construct buildings and bridges. Other minerals, such as sulfates, are used to make fertilizers and detergents. Talc and mica are used in cosmetics and paints. And finally, diamonds and other gemstones are used in jewelry and other ornamental items.
Minerals are an invaluable component of our lives and they will continue to be essential to us in the future. Without minerals, society could not function. They provide us with the necessary components for countless processes, whether it is through constructing buildings, roads, and bridges, or through providing us with the necessary resources for electronics and pharmaceuticals. Thankfully, minerals are constantly forming in nature to replenish the ones that we have already taken.
