Question

What are minerals, what are their important physical properties, how are they formed (in general) where are they found in nature (in general with any examples that you have researched). Why are they important and how are they used in society with concrete, specific examples of at least 3 minerals and the many ways each mineral is used.

Answer 1

minerals are defined as naturally occurring, inorganic substance with the well-defined crystal structure and having a definite chemical composition. for any substance to be called mineral all the above criteria should fulfill.

important physical properties are the hardness of the mineral, color of the mineral, luster, cleavage and magnetic property.

primary minerals are formed by the crystallization process from the magma at comparatively high temperature but secondary minerals are also formes at low temperature in sedimentary or metamorphic processes also from the hydrothermal process.

minerals are found in the rocks in nature, a group of minerals constitute a rock for example in granite - we get minerals like quartz, feldspar, and biotite, etc.

whereas in basalt we get pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar and olivine etc.

minerals are very important for society

radioactive elements are obtained from minerals for nuclear power generation.(uranium from uraninite and thorium from monazite etc.)

all the metals occur in mineral and then they are extracted from it like copper from chalcopyrite, lead from Galena and zinc from sphalerite, etc.

minerals like quartz are used in various instruments and laboratories because of its unique properties like piezoelectric property make it useful for electrical appliance etc.