8 - Unit 1, Section 2 - Day 2

What Are Minerals?

Unit 1, Section 2

• Minerals have a formula unit that is repeated in all three dimensions

• In other words, minerals form crystals

A "Repeated, Ordered Group of Atoms"

• A mineral always has the same atoms, of the same elements, in the same amount

• That is the formula unit from the last slide

• They repeat in all three dimensions

A "Definite Chemical Composition"

• Minerals with different formula units have different shapes

• We'll see examples of those in today's classwork

Different Crystal Shapes