We must first discuss minerals before learning about the various types of minerals. This article will teach us about the various types of minerals, and their classifications based on structures, examples, and much more.
What are Minerals?
Minerals are inorganic substances found naturally on the soil as well as elements in food required for healthy living. Minerals are a crucial element of our daily lives and make up the majority of the earth’s crust. They exhibit an organized internal structure, crystalline formations, and distinct chemical compositions.
Examples of Minerals
Minerals include calcite, fluorite, quartz, talc, zinc, diamond, gold, graphite, and others. Gold is a metallic mineral that can be discovered in its elemental form. Coal is a dark, hard material composed primarily of carbon. It is one of the most popular fossil fuels. Diamond is another allotrope of carbon, one of nature’s toughest things. A rock, for example, is a body of hom*ogeneous mineral matter or a mineral combination. Common rocks include granite, basalt, limestone, and sandstone.
Different Types of Minerals
Minerals are categorized into two groups based on their crystalline form, chemical composition, and structure: metallic and non-metallic.
Metallic Minerals
Metallic minerals, as the name implies, are those created by various metals reacting with certain other elements. These minerals have physical qualities that are similar to metals, such as shine. It is the primary metal source, and metals can be recovered from these minerals through mining. Metallic minerals are found in the earth’s crust as oxides, sulfides, carbonates, halides, and other chemical compounds based on their chemical makeup. Gold is the only metallic mineral that can be discovered in its pure form.
Bauxite, magnetite, iron ore, pyrite, hematite, and other metallic minerals are examples of metallic minerals.
Metallic minerals are divided into two types: ferrous minerals and non-ferrous minerals. Because iron is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust. So ferrous minerals are those that have iron in their chemical compositions, and non-ferrous minerals are those that do not contain iron in their chemical compositions. Iron ore, manganese, nickel, and chromite are a fewexamples of ferrous minerals. Non-ferrous minerals include gold, copper, silver, lead, tin, and others.
Non-Metallic Minerals
Non-metallic minerals are those that do not contain metals in their chemical compositions and have a non-metallic gloss or shine in their physical appearance. Examples of non-metallic minerals include limestone, gypsum, mica, etc. Silica is the most common nonmetallic material and is widely utilized in buildings. Thermal power plants use coal to generate electricity. In addition, diamond is a mineral that may be utilized to make jewelry.
Difference between Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals
| Metallic minerals | Non-Metallic Minerals |
| These types of minerals contain metals in their chemical compositions. | These type of minerals does not contain metals in their chemical compositions. |
| They have a shiny appearance they | They do not shiny appearance. |
| They are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. | They are found in sedimentary rocks. |
| Metals can be obtained by melting these metallic minerals. | Metals cannot be obtained by melting these minerals. |
| They are ductile. | They are not ductile and brittle. |
| They are malleable. | They are not malleable. |
| Metallic minerals are good conductors of heat and electricity. | Non-Metallic minerals are poor conductors of heat and electricity. |
| These minerals have a high melting point. | These minerals have a very low melting point. |
| They are found in only solid states at room temperature. | They exist in all states at room temperature. |
| Ores of iron, aluminum, gold, silver, etc. are examples of Metallic Minerals. | Diamond, slat, potash, etc. are examples of Non-Metallic Minerals |
Physical Properties of Minerals
Minerals can be identified by their physical properties. They have a consistent structure and unique physical properties.
1) Color: Some minerals have different colors or are available in many colors. Quartz (SiO2), for example, comes in a range of colors. Because of minor changes in mineral chemistry, this feature is frequently highly changeable.
2) Crystal form: Crystals are the tiniest minerals that mirror the geometry of the mineral molecules. The exterior shape (or crystal form) of a mineral crystal is largely influenced by its internal atomic structure.
3) Density: The ratio of specific gravity to an equivalent amount of water. Minerals have densities ranging from water to pure gold. Measuring the density of a certain mineral involves the use of time-consuming procedures.
4) Cleavage and Fracture: Fracture refers to unequal cracks in the material, whereas cleavage refers to smooth breaks along the mineral’s planes. It creates flat, gleaming surfaces.
5) Hardness: Scratch resistance, strength, not how quickly it breaks; hardness is assessed by the Mohs scale; for example, diamonds are a ten on a scale of 1-10, indicating that they’re tough.
6) Luster: The appearance of a mineral in reflected light; it is often metallic, glossy, or non-metallic and drab.
7) Streak: The color of the powdered mineral form; visible after scraping a mineral across particular surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do minerals benefit the human body?
Answer. Minerals, like vitamins, help your body grow, develop, and stay healthy. They are used by the body for a variety of purposes, including bone formation and nerve impulse transmission. Minerals are used by your body for a variety of purposes, including the healthy functioning of your bones, muscles, heart, and brain. These minerals are also required for the production of enzymes and hormones.
Q2. What do you mean by mineral conservation?
Answer. Humans consume a vast amount of nonrenewable minerals, which appear to be depleted in a matter of years. The total volume of consumable Mineral resources represents barely 1% of all Minerals found in the Earth’s crust. Mineral recycling wherever possible, use of alternate renewable energy sources, and mineral utilization that is planned and sustained are a few strategies for conserving minerals on Earth.
Q3. What are the different types of minerals?
Answer. Minerals are categorized into two groups based on their crystalline form, chemical composition, and structure: metallic and non-metallic. Metallic minerals, as the name implies, are those created by various metals reacting with certain other elements. The non-metallic minerals are those that do not contain metals in their chemical compositions and have a non-metallic gloss or shine in their physical appearance.
