NATURAL SCIENCE

1st of ESO

MINERALS
AND
ROCKS

Agate and milky quartz are both quartz, because they have the
same chemical composition and therefore, physical properties.
The differences between them are caused by impurities, other
chemical elements that are included in the quartz during the
formation process.

NATIVE
ELEMENTS
OXIDES

These minerals are made by

a single element.
They are made up of
Oxygen and one other
element.
SULPHIDES
A mix of Sulphur and a Metal
CARBONATES They are made of Carbon,
Oxygen and a Metal.
HALIDES
Composed of Chloride and a
Metal.

Gold, silver,
copper
Oligiste (iron)

Galena
Calcite
Halite

a) COLOUR: minerals are always the same colour, no matter where

they are taken or what process endured.
b) SHAPE: minerals can be geometric or irregular.
c) LUSTRE: refers to the way a mineral reflects ligt. It can be:
- Metallic: like pyrite.
- Non metallic.
d) STREAK: it refers to the colour of the powder that a mineral leaves
when scraped.
e) CLEAVAGE: is the way a that a mineral breaks. It can break in
sheets or in cubes.
f) HARDNESS: measures how a mineral reacts to being scratched.

The Mohs Scale of Hardness

Detrital Rocks

Chemical Rocks

Organic Rocks

VOLCANIC
IGNEOUS ROCKS

PLUTONIC
IGNEOUS ROCKS

Plutonic rock

Volcanic rock

High pressure due to weight

Metamorphic rock
Intense heat due to magma

Metamorphic rocks

Weathering and
erosion

Changes in
temperature
and pressure

Fusion at high
temperature