The study of minerals is important as every mineral has its own chemical composition and atomic structure. Hence, a mineral can be identified by the following methods. The study of minerals is called Mineralogy. Minerals play an important role in the various aspects of our lives in the environment. As they lead by providing nutrients for some living organisms. Mineralogists help with the occurrence and study of rock types on the earth’s surface. Every mineral has its distinct chemical composition and unique identification.
What are minerals?
Minerals occur naturally on the earth’s surface. Maintaining crystalline structures and chemical compositions. Minerals are very important on the earth’s surface for dealing the objects like improving ground resistance and ability for construction purposes. Also essential for Earth’s geology, including manufacturing and technology. Minerals are identified by the following below;
- Natural occurring
- Inorganic type
- Chemical compositions
- Crystalline structures
- Optical properties
- Spectroscopy
- Physical properties
Methods on Study of Minerals
The important methods for studying minerals are as follows:
Physical Properties
​Color
When the minerals absorb some wavelengths of light by atoms, they results color.The presence of impurities such as titanium, haematite, manganese etc., can manage various colors for a colorless mineral.
Streak
It is the color of the mineral powder, which is obtained when the mineral is rubbed and twisted against an unglazed porcelain plate.
Lustre
The measurement of reflectivity of a mineral surface is called as lustre. The various types of lustre contains metallic, sub metallic, adamantine, vitreous, pearly, silky, resinous, greasy and earthy lustre.
Hardness
The resistance of a mineral with according to abrasion or scratching is called as hardness. Diamond is the hardest mineral, while talc is the weak mineral.
Habit
The different sizes and shapes of the crystals and the structure exhibited by the crystal aggregates and crypto-crystalline masses is known as habit. The different habits that a mineral exhibits are , fibrous, foliage, shades, tabular, columnar, granular etc.
Cleavage
When the minerals break with the smooth surfaces of weak bonding planes, it is called as cleavage. When it breaks irregularly, it is called as cleavage. When it breaks irregularly, it is called as fracture. Mica, Galena, calcite and fluorite show perfect cleavage, whereas quartz show no cleavage.
Fracture
Irregular breaking of minerals is called fracture. Conchoidal, even, uneven, hackle are some of the common fractures.
Odour
When the minerals are rubbed or heated, they give a featured smell which is called as odour. It is mentioned as arsenical, sulfurous and argillaceous odours.
Feel
The minerals can also be featured on the sensation of touch as greasy, soapy, rough and harsh.
Tenacity
The degree of cohesion is called as tenacity and is managed as sectile,malleable, flexible, elastic, brittle etc.
Fluorescence
The property of minerals of exhibiting different color( distinct from their own color) on exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light is known as fluorescence. Colorless fluorite shows blue or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Phosphorescence
Minerals glow and emit light, when they are exposed to electrical radiation or ultraviolet light. This property of minerals is called as phosphorescence and is exhibited by diamond and sphalerite.
Magnetism
Minerals such as magnetic and pyrrhotite are the normal types which possess magnetic property.
Study of Chemical Properties
Minerals have a particular chemical composition and crystalline structures. The properties of minerals of minerals that are based on chemical composition are as follows,
Isomorphism
When chemical composition varies in only one mineral design, this phenomenon is called isomorphism. Isomorphic series are a group of minerals possessing isomorphism.
Polymorphism
When the minerals have same crystal structure, but different chemical composition, these specific compounds are known polymorphs and the phenomenon is called polymorphism.
Pseudomorphism
When the chemical composition and crystal structure of two minerals are same, but the crystal form corresponds to another mineral, i.e., when one mineral is replaced by another, this phenomenon is called pseudomorphism.
Study of Optical Properties
The properties of minerals are captured using microscope. The mineral properties such as color, cleavage, shape etc., can be studied by using polarized light and under crossed Nicole. The different optical characteristics include interference colors, optic sign, interference figured, twinning, extinction, alteration etc. As the chemical composition and crystal structure of every mineral is distinct and unique, it gives a clear identification of a mineral, when polarized light is passed through thin mineral sections.
Analysis of X-ray
When a beam of X- ray is made to fall on a crystal material, the rays get diffracted. When these diffracted rays are taken on a Photographic plate, they result in a series of lines in a symmetrical design. This diffracted series of lines are different for different minerals. Hence, the minerals can be identified using this method, which gives approx results.
Spectroscopy
This spectroscopy involves of that infrared rays of spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence to analyse the spectral properties and elemental compositions of the mineral taken.
The methods of studying minerals are identified by many various methods and procedure are taken by the geologists and mineralogists for their experimentation on minerals.
Here,is an example for the characteristic of the minerals based-
|
Crystal or massive
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Colorless or white
|
White
|
Vitreous uneven
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Conchoidal or even
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Absent
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7
|
| 2.Feldspar |
Tabular |
White or Grey |
White |
Vitreous |
Even to uneven |
Two sets of cleavage at right angles |
6
|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mean by Cleavage?
The breakage in the mineral due to the weak bonding resulting the smooth surfaces called as cleavage.
What is fracture?
The breakage of irregularity in minerals can be mentioned as fracture.
How can be the minerals can be identified?
The minerals can be identified through their physical and chemical properties existing.
Why should we know the properties of minerals?
The study of minerals is very important as it is useful for many various purposes in construction.
Where minerals are found?
Minerals are found in naturally at anywhere in the regions.
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