Types of Minerals
Over 3800 minerals have been named, and several new ones are identified each year. You will be studying only the most abundant minerals. Common minerals, together with the thousands of others that form on Earth, can be classified into groups based on their composition. Some of the more common mineral groups include the silicates, the carbonates, the oxides, the sulfates and sulfides, the halides, and the native elements.
Silicates are made up of the elements Silicon and Oxygen (SiO4). Carbonates are made up of Carbon and Oxygen (CO). The Oxides are made of Oxygen and one other element, usually a metal. Sulfates and Sulfides contain the element Sulfur. Halides contain Halogen and another element, while Native Elements contain elements that exists purely.
Over 3800 minerals have been named, and several new ones are identified each year. You will be studying only the most abundant minerals. Common minerals, together with the thousands of others that form on Earth, can be classified into groups based on their composition. Some of the more common mineral groups include the silicates, the carbonates, the oxides, the sulfates and sulfides, the halides, and the native elements.
Silicates are made up of the elements Silicon and Oxygen (SiO4). Carbonates are made up of Carbon and Oxygen (CO). The Oxides are made of Oxygen and one other element, usually a metal. Sulfates and Sulfides contain the element Sulfur. Halides contain Halogen and another element, while Native Elements contain elements that exists purely.
Remember to eat your rocks and minerals so that your body will cooporate properly!
