Mineralogy

The mineralogy is the Science which studies the mineral .

A mineral is generally a naturally formed substance, inorganic, exceptionally organic. A given mineral is characterized by a Chemical formula and a crystalline Structure, i.e. respectively by the nature of the atoms which compose it and their fitting in space. Mineralogy concentrates the various approaches of study of minerals on these theoretical bases.

Properties of minerals

See also: Mineral

Several properties and methods make it possible to characterize a mineral. To study a given mineral, the mineralogist will exploit, amongst other things:

  • its crystalline Structure in a solid state (generally studied using the diffraction of x-rays);
  • its chemical composition (often analyzed with the electronic microsounder);
  • its mechanical properties: Density, Hardness, cleavage, break, fracture, touch, Density;
  • its optical properties: Color, trace, glare, Transparency, Index of refraction, analyzes interferential using x-rays;
  • bonds between the atoms, which can be in particular: covalent, ionic, metal, of Van der Waals;
  • its chemical properties: Photoluminescence, reactivity with the acids, coloring under the flame;
  • its phase (solid, liquid or gas);
  • its Solubility (in water);
  • its electric and thermal properties.

Nomenclature of minerals

There exists an international agency aiming to standardize the definition of the mineral species: the International association of mineralogy (IMA).

Prospection

Minerals are likely to be discovered in the following sources:

  • the mines and the careers, which are the grounds of predilection for the research of minerals;
  • the meteorites, which fall per thousands on ground each day;
  • in laboratory and thanks to the Data-processing , the researchers finds mineral combinations theoretical composite, which currently constitute the main part of the discoveries.

The eight elements which constitute alone nearly 90% of the texture of the earth's crust associate to form minerals. The silicated minerals and the Silice prevail in the majority of the common rocks, except the Calcaire.

The scale of hardness

Number 1 being the least hard and number 10 hardest
  • 1.Le talc
  • 2.Le gypsum
  • 2,5. The nail
  • 3. Calcite
  • 4. The fluorite
  • 5. The artite
  • 6. Orthoclase
  • 7. Quartz
  • 8. Topaz
  • 9. The corundum
  • 10. Diamond

Related sciences

Mineralogy works in collaboration with other sciences:
  • the Prospection , which consists in seeking on the ground minerals;
  • the Geochemistry , which studies the chemical elements constitutive of the Earth's crust;
  • the Petrography , which studies the rocks (of which the minerals are the components);
  • the Geology , which consists in studying the modes of layer and the conditions of formation of minerals;
  • the descriptive mineralogy , which studies mineral itself;
  • the Crystallography , which studies the structure of the crystals;
  • instrumental technical of the Chemistry , to determine the chemical formula of a mineral;
  • instrumental technical of the Physical , to study a certain number of properties of the ore, with:
    • the Diffraction of x-rays , to determine the provision of the atoms constitutive of mineral, namely, the mesh , the reason and the crystal lattice ;
    • the Microscopy in polarized light , to determine the true nature of the ore;
    • the Goniometry , to measure the angles which between them the various faces of the crystal form and to allow its identification;
    • the measurement of the properties electric, magnetic, optical and fluorescent to go further in the differentiation of the ores.
  • the Science of the materials , which studies structure and properties of made up of technological interest which very often are mineral phases.
  • the Data-processing , which makes it possible to produce the programs facilitating the study and the development of theoretical combinations of new minerals.

Examples of minerals

Here a nonexhaustive common mineral list:

The oxides of the form are gathered under name " spinelles" where often (but not always!) X is a metal 2+ and Y a metal 3+ (Hematite, pleonast for example). A counterexample and the ulvospinelle one: here the Titane has number of oxidation 4+, the Fer 2+.

See too

Related articles

External bonds

  • French company of Mineralogy and Crystallography

  • minerals in France
  • Objective Ground, mineralogy
  • French Association of Objective Microminéralogie
  • Sciences: Diffusion of the scientific culture, Formation Mineralogy
  • virtual Microscope of the University of North Carolina

Simple: Mineralogy

Random links:Sainghin-in-Mélantois | Laughed Tau' | Cream pâtissière | Bob Carlisle | Software of data compression | Solidarité