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Minerals And Rocks
Question
Define the term ‘mineral’ and name the major classes of minerals with their physical characteristics.
Solution
A mineral is a naturally occuring inorganic substance, having on orderly atomic structure and a definite chemical composition and physical properties. A mineral is composed of two or more elements. But sometimes single element minerals like sulphur, copper, silver, gold, graphite etc. are found.
The major classes of minerals with their characteristics are as follows :
(i)Feldspar : Half of the earth’s crust is composed of feldspar. It has a light cream and salmon pink colour. It is used in ceramics and glass making.
(ii)Quartz : It consists of silica. It is the most important components of sand and granite. It is a hard mineral and is insoluble in water. It is used in radio and radar.
(iii)Pyroxene : It consists of calcium, aluminium, magnesium, iron and silica. It forms 10% of the earth's crust. It is commonly found in meteorites.
(iv)Amphibole : Its major elements are silica, aluminium, calcium and iron. They form the 7% of the earth's crust. It is used in the asbestos industry. It is black or green in colour.
(v)Mica : It comprises potassium, aluminium, magnesium, iron, silica etc. It forms 4% of the earth's crust. It is used in the electrical instruments.
(vi)Olivine : Magnesium, iron and silica are the major elements of olivine. It is used in jewellery. It is usually a greenish crystal often found in basaltic rocks.
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Some More Questions From Minerals And Rocks Chapter
Write some main sedimentary rocks.
Which important minerals are found in metamorphic rocks?
State one example of hard rock and soft rock.
The process of physical and chemical changes affecting sediments during their conversion into solid rocks.
Structure in metamorphic rocks in which minerals are drawn out into long, thin pencil like objects all in parallel alignment.
The smooth planer surfaces of weakness along which minerals have pronounced tendency of split.
Few large crystals imbedded into material of smaller crystals.
What do you mean by rocks ? Name the three major classes of rocks.
What is an igneous rock? Describe the method of formation and characteristics of igneous rock.
What relationship is explained by rock cycle between the major types of rock?
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