UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

Last Time
1.

GY 111: Physical Geology

Lecture 6: Mineral Classification

Elementary Chemistry (atomic structure) 2. Isotopes 3. The Periodic Table 4. Bonding

Atoms & Atomic Particles

z z z

Atoms & Atomic Particles

z

Atoms are composed of 3 fundamental particles: 1) Protons 2) Neutrons 3)Electrons Protons & Neutrons always reside in the center of the atom termed the nucleus Electrons are always located in the electron cloud in complex orbitals where they orbit the nucleus

The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus is variable and defines the different chemical elements (refer to the periodic table)

1H1

2He4
Atomic Number Atomic Weight

6C12

Electron Cloud (Electrons) Nucleus (Protons + Neutrons)

Isotopes
z

Simple atomic structure:

The number of protons and electrons for an element does not vary, but the number of neutrons can. e.g., hydrogen

Level (n)

"Name"

# of electrons (2n2)

1 2
+ -

K L M N O

2 8 18 32 50

3 4 5

1H1
Stable

1H2

1H3
Unstable

Source:http://www.amptek.com/xrf_3.gif

The Periodic Table

Chemical Bonding
zOccurs through the action of the electrons in the outer shells of atoms. zPartially filled shells are less stable (higher energy) than filled shells (lower energy) zChemical reactions forming molecules strive to fill shells in atoms
Level (n) 1 2 3 4 5 "Name" K L M N O # of electrons (2n2) 2 8 18 32 50

Chemical Bonding
Bond

Bonding
Mineral properties -strong bond -high melting points -vitreous lusters -higher solubility - strong bonds - hard minerals - very high melting points - vitreous adamantine lusters - weak bonds - low to high melting points - metallic lusters -electrically conductive Ionic

Three Major types: 1) Ionic bonding; exchange of electrons between atoms to form ions 2) Covalent bonding: sharing of electrons between atoms 3) Metallic bonding: freely exchangeable electrons between nuclei

Covalent

Metallic

Atomic Packing: Todays Agenda

1. 2.

Crystal Chemistry (Crystallography) Mineral Classification (classes) 3. The Silicates

Web notes 5

The Issue: How do you build 33-dimensional crystals (minerals) from atoms, ions and molecules?

Atomic Packing:
Minerals are assembled according to exact chemical blueprints blueprints

Atomic Packing:
Minerals are assembled according to exact chemical blueprints blueprints and those blue prints are controlled by exact mathematical and physical laws.

Atomic Packing:
1) Atoms/ions make up minerals 2) Atoms take up space 3) How do you pack differently sized atoms in space to make up minerals?

Atomic Packing:

3 dimensions 2 dimensions
Source: http://www.mines.edu/academic/courses/met/mtgn311/visual.html Source: http://www.mines.edu/academic/courses/met/mtgn311/visual.html

Crystal Structures:
NaCl
(Halite)

Crystal Structures:
CaF2
(Fluorite)

Source: www.chm.bris.ac.uk

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

{-Ca2+ {-F-

Polymorphs:
Two minerals with the same chemical composition but different crystal structures

Crystal Structures:

e.g. Graphite (C)

Diamond (C)

These are pretty pictures only. You do NOT have to know this stuff for the exam(s)

Crystal Structures:
Al2O3
(Ruby)

Crystal Structures:
CaCO3
(Calcite)

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

Crystal Structures:
CaCO3
(Aragonite)

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

{-Al3+ {-O2-

{-Ca2+ -O2- C4+

Crystal Structures:
MgFeSiO4
(Olivine)

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

{-Ca2+ {-O2- C4+

Crystal Structures:
K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(OH,F)2
(Biotite)

Why classify minerals?

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

Why classify minerals?

Source: www.icminerals.com

Why classify minerals?

Source: www.csm.jmu.edu

At last count, there are well over 4000 distinct minerals minerals in our solar system

Why classify minerals?

At last count, there are well over 4000 distinct minerals minerals in our solar system
Source: www.webchem.net\csm.jmu.edu

Mineral Classification

They are composed of 90+ elements, as well as more complex ions like CO32-, SO42-, PO43- etc.

Source: www.icminerals.com

Mineral Classification

Mineral Classification

Quartz
Mineral Name

SiO2
Chemical Formula

Mineral Classification
Si4+

Mineral Classification

O2-

O2-

Chemical Structure Crystal Structure

Mineral Classification
Class

Source: http:\\staff.aist.go.jp

Why classify minerals?

Name Native Elements
Anion(s) Anion(s)

Examples
Metals: Gold, Copper, Silver SemiSemi-metals: Arsenic (As) NonNon-metals: diamond, graphite, sulfur

Dominant Bond

The simplest way to classify minerals is by their anionic composition

none

Metallic

II III IV V VI VII VIII

Sulfides Oxides\ Oxides\hydroxides Halides Carbonates Sulfates Phosphates Silicates

SO2- OHCl-, FlCO32SO42PO43SiO44-

Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena hematite, magnetite, limonite halite, fluorite calcite, aragonite, malachite gypsum, anhydrite apatite >3000 (i.e., most minerals)

Covalent

Largely Ionic

Chalk board time

Silicate Classification

Silicate Classification

SiO44The basic silicate tetrahedra

Silicate Classification

Silicate Classification

The basic silicate tetrahedra (ball and stick)

The basic silicate tetrahedra (just sticks)

Silicate Classification
All silicates have the basic tetrahedra in their structures, but there are 7 distinct silicate classes

Silicate Classification

Chalk board time

Todays Homework
1.

Download and read web notes 5

Next Time
2.

Quiz 3 Volcanoes and volcanism

1.