Types of Minerals
Gypsum
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A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure. Minerals are divided into two different groups depending on the minerals chemical composition. These two groups are silicate minerals and non silicate minerals. A silicate mineral is a mineral that contains a combination of silicon and oxygen. Silicate minerals make up more than 90% of the Earths crust. Two examples of silicate minerals are Quartz and Mica. A nonsilicate mineral is a minerals that does not contain a comnination of the elements silicon and oxygen. Two examples of nonsilicate minerals are, Copper and Gypsum. A mineral is identified by its color, luster, hardness, streak and fracture or cleavage. (Holt Science and Technology Textbook)
Types of Rocks
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A rock is a naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals, and organic matter. The three major types of rocks are, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rock forms when hot, liquid rock, or magma, cools and solidifies. Sedimentary rock forms at or near the Earths surface. It forms without the heat and pressure that are involved in forming igneous and metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks are rocks in which the structure, texture or composition of the rock have changed. All metamorphic rock undergoes metamorphism. (Holt Science and Technology Textbook)