Dees_J_Minerals_Week1Project
.docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of Maryland, University College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
100
Subject
Geology
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by ProfRainButterfly
GEOL 100 – Physical Geology - Week 1 – Authentic Project – Minerals (100 points)
I.
Knowledge Foundations: Minerals
a.
Answer the following questions. Cite all your sources in full APA citation format.
i.
How many minerals have been discovered to-date? As of this date, 5975 mineral species have been discovered.
ii.
List the 5 conditions necessary for a substance to be classified as a mineral:
a. Naturally occurring.
b.
Inorganic.
c.
Solid at room temperature. d. Regular crystal structure.
e. Defined chemical composition.
b. Citations for Part I. Cite all your sources in full APA citation format.
Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. (2019). Mindat.org - Mines, Minerals and More
. Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/
3 Minerals – An Introduction to Geology
. (n.d.). https://opengeology.org/textbook/3-
minerals/#:~:text=In%20geology%2C%20the%20classic%20definition
II.
Research: Mineral
a.
Mineral Name: Fluorite
b.
Chemical Properties of your Mineral
i.
Mineral Chemical Formula (Chemical Composition):
CaF
2
ii.
Which elements make up this mineral? List each element name and corresponding symbol. Calcium (Ca) Fluorine (F)
iii.
How many atoms of each element make up this mineral?
12 total 4 from (CA) and 8 from (f)
iv.
To which mineral group (e.g., sulfides, oxides, silicates, etc.) does your mineral belong? This mineral belongs to the Halides group.
c.
Physical Properties of your Mineral
i.
Crystal System (geometric features):
Fluorite has a Cubic crystal structure.
ii.
Hardness (Mohs Scale value and description):
4 on the Mohs Scale and described as brittle.
iii.
Luster (include color and provide specific subcategories for nonmetallic luster):
Fluorite has a Vitreous dull luster and the colors associated with it are the following:
Purple, lilac, golden-yellow, green, colorless, blue, pink, champagne, brown
iv.
Specific Gravity (Density):
3.175 - 3.56
v.
Formation (describe how this mineral forms in nature):
According to the Illinois State Museum, Fluorite crystals were formed 150–200 million years ago when hot water containing fluorine and other minerals was forced through cracks in the earth, interacting with the calcium-rich limestone bedrock. Crystals formed along cracks and in other open spaces in the rock.
d.
Human Use
1.
For which element(s) is your mineral mined?
This mineral is mined for fluorine.
2.
What are the elements used for?
The element is used in
metallurgical, ceramics, and chemical industries mostly in the steel refinement process as a flux to remove impurities.
e.
Citations for Part II
mp-2741: CaF2 (Cubic, Fm-3m, 225)
. (n.d.). Materials Project. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://next-gen.materialsproject.org/materials/mp-2741
Fluorite Crystals | The Story of Illinois
. (n.d.). Story.illinoisstatemuseum.org.
https://story.illinoisstatemuseum.org/content/fluorite-crystals
Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. (2019). Mindat.org - Mines, Minerals and More.
Mindat.org. https://www.mindat.org/
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help