What is a Mineral? — Passage and Quiz

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and a well-defined crystal structure. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks and are found in the Earth’s crust. They form through geological processes such as cooling magma, evaporation of water, and pressure changes deep within the Earth.

Minerals have several key characteristics:

1. Naturally Occurring: They are formed by natural processes, not human-made.
2. Inorganic: They are not formed from living organisms.
3. Solid: Minerals have a definite shape and volume.
4. Definite Chemical Composition: Each mineral has a specific chemical formula (e.g., quartz is SiO₂).

5. Crystal Structure: Minerals have atoms arranged in a repeating, orderly pattern.

    

Examples of common minerals include quartz, feldspar, and calcite. Minerals are essential for many industries, from construction to technology. They are also vital for human health, as they provide nutrients like calcium and iron.

Fun fact: There are over 5,000 known minerals on Earth, but only about 100 are considered common!