Rocks & Minerals
Rocks vs. Minerals
What is the difference between rocks and minerals? A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure formed by geological processes. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals whereas a rock may also include organic remains and mineraloids.
Stone
Uses: to build roads, buildings, and tools
Examples: The Missouri state capital's pillars are made of stone
Copper
Uses: in electrical wires, and used in buildings for plumbing
Examples: there is copper wire in your IPhone chargers
Salt
Uses: in chemicals and for road deicing
Examples: used as a seasoning for lots of foods
4 Characteristics of Minerals
- forms in nature
- is a solid
- has a definite chemical makeup
- has a crystal structure
Zinc
Uses: to make metals rust resistant, in paint, in some metals and alloys
Examples: it is in some skin care products like moisturizers
Iron Ore
Uses: to make steel, in building and cars
Examples: used to make the structure of planes
Manganese
Uses: to make most forms of steel
Examples: used in heavy machinery
3 Characteristics of Rocks
- minerals in rocks are jumbled together
- naturally formed
- made up of one or more types of minerals
Graphite
Uses: in batteries, fire retardants, and in cars
Examples: it is used in pencils as the lead
Clay
Uses: in toothpaste
Examples: clay is used to coat newspapers so that when printed on, the ink doesn't run
Quartz
Uses: to make glass
Examples: there could be quartz in your window
Sulfur
Uses: in fertilizer and in some insecticides
Examples: used in explosives
Sphalerite
Uses: to galvanize iron, make brass paint, and wood preservatives
Examples: used in the dyes of carpets
Cassiterite
Uses: primary ore in tin
Examples: it is also used as a gemstone in jewelry
Chromite
Uses: big part of stainless steel, also used to give emeralds the green color and rubies their red color
Examples: used in the process of tanning leather
Cinnabar
Uses: in pigment because of its color
Examples: it's in thermometers
Bauxite
Uses: primarily used in aluminum
Examples: used for the production of chemicals and cements
Daily Impact of Rocks and Minerals
Almost everything that we use every day involves some type of mineral or rock. When you wake up you brush your teeth, you toothpaste as minerals in it. When you go to school you probably get here in some type of vehicle whether it be a car or a bus. Those have minerals in them. The buildings we learn in are made out of different kinds of rock. Everything around us is the result of rocks and minerals and that is why they are so important in our daily lives.