Study of Rock Forming Minerals

Summary

This educational video delves into rock-forming minerals, crucial for constructing Earth's crust and shaping geological features. It highlights common minerals like feldspar, quartz, and mica, each with unique properties and uses. The video also covers less common but significant minerals like amphiboles, garnets, and zeolites, explaining their composition, hardness, and specific gravity. It underscores their roles in various industries, from construction to water treatment, and their importance in Earth's geological processes.

Takeaways

• 🪨 Rock-forming minerals are essential building blocks of Earth's solid surface, forming igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• 🌍 There are nearly 5,000 known mineral species, but most rocks are formed from a few common minerals referred to as rock-forming minerals.
• ⛰️ Common rock-forming minerals must be abundant in Earth's crust, present during rock formation, and crucial for determining rock properties.
• 🟫 Feldspar is the most common mineral in Earth's crust, widely used in glassmaking, ceramics, and fillers in industries like paint and plastics.
• 🟢 Quartz is the most abundant mineral on Earth's surface, known for its hardness, wide temperature range, and use in clocks and electronics.
• 🌑 Amphiboles, common in dark-colored igneous rocks, are hard minerals containing calcium, magnesium, and iron, and are used in construction.
• 📜 Mica is a silicate mineral group known for its sheet-like structure, used in electrical and thermal insulation due to its lightweight and flexible nature.
• 💎 Garnet, commonly found in metamorphic rocks, is a hard mineral known more as a gemstone but also used industrially.
• ⚗️ Calcite is a widely used rock-forming mineral found in various rocks, known for its use in construction materials and agricultural soil treatment.
• 🔬 Zeolites are chemically related to feldspar, used industrially for water treatment due to their porous nature and cation exchange properties.

Q & A

What are rock-forming minerals?

Rock-forming minerals are minerals that are significant components in the formation of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks and are integral to the geological processes that shape the Earth's crust.

How many known mineral species contribute to rock formation?

There are almost 5,000 known mineral species, but the majority of rocks are formed from combinations of a few common minerals referred to as rock-forming minerals.

What are the characteristics of feldspar, the most common mineral in the Earth's crust?

Feldspar is an aluminum silicate that is found in nearly all igneous rocks. It is hard, often white or light-colored, and forms crystals that resemble small blocks. It has a hardness of 6 or slightly more and a specific gravity of approximately 2.6.

What properties make quartz one of the most useful natural substances?

Quartz is a chemical compound of silicon and oxygen, abundant in various types of rocks, and has a vitreous luster. It is relatively hard with a Mohs scale hardness of seven and a specific gravity between 2.6 and 2.7.

How are amphiboles used in construction?

Amphiboles, being hard minerals, are used as crushed stone for construction purposes such as road and railroad bed construction.

What is mica known for in terms of its physical properties?

Mica is known for its sheet silicate structure, which gives it a layered appearance. It is light, soft, and flexible, with a hardness ranging from 2.5 to 4 and a specific gravity from 2.8 to 3.0.

Why is olivine significant in the Earth's upper mantle?

Olivine is the most common silicate in the Earth's upper mantle and is prevalent in the subsurface of the Earth. It is a magnesium iron silicate with a hardness between 6.5 to 7 and a specific gravity of 3.2 to 4.5.

What are the common uses of garnet besides being a gemstone?

Garnet, despite being known as a gemstone, is also mined for industrial uses such as an abrasive in sandblasting, water filtration, and as a raw material in manufacturing.

How does calcite's chemical composition affect its uses?

Calcite, with a chemical formula of calcium carbonate, is used in construction materials, as an abrasive, in agricultural soil treatment, and as a pigment due to its common occurrence and properties.

What are the distinguishing features of pyroxene?

Pyroxenes are complex silicates with cleavage angles close to 90 degrees, often fibrous or blocky in appearance. They have a hardness between 5 to 7 and a specific gravity from 3.2 to 3.5.

How are zeolites utilized in industrial applications?

Zeolites are used as inorganic cation exchangers in industrial applications, particularly for water and wastewater treatment, due to their pore size and absorption properties.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Overview of Rock-Forming Minerals

This paragraph introduces the concept of rock-forming minerals, which are essential in the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It highlights their role in shaping the Earth's crust and providing minerals for soil and human use. The paragraph mentions that there are nearly 5,000 known mineral species, but the majority of rocks are formed from a few common minerals known as rock-forming minerals. These include feldspar, quartz, amphiboles, micas, olivine, garnet, calcite, pyroxene, chlorite, serpentine, epidote, and zeolite. The paragraph emphasizes the abundance and importance of these minerals in the Earth's crust and their various applications in industries.

05:04

📚 Detailed Description of Rock-Forming Minerals

Paragraph 2 delves into the characteristics and uses of specific rock-forming minerals. It discusses the properties of mica, including its physical and chemical composition, its occurrence in granites and metamorphic rocks, and its applications as an electrical insulator and thermal insulator. The paragraph also covers olivine, noting its prevalence in the Earth's upper mantle, its rapid weathering on the surface, and its use in metallurgical processes. Garnet is described as a hard mineral commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, with various colors and uses in both gemstones and industrial applications. Calcite, with its chemical formula of calcium carbonate, is highlighted for its ubiquity in various rock types and its uses in construction, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Pyroxene and chlorite are also discussed for their complex silicate structures, hardness, and specific gravity, with pyroxene noted for its potential as a gem material and chlorite for its disinfection properties.

10:07

💠 Exploration of Additional Rock-Forming Minerals

Paragraph 3 continues the exploration of rock-forming minerals, focusing on serpentine, a magnesium silicate that occurs in various colors and is used primarily as a decorative stone. Storalite, an iron aluminum silicate, is mentioned for its association with garnets in metamorphic rocks and its use in assessing metamorphic conditions. Epidote, a complex silicate found in metamorphic rocks, is described for its green to brown and black colors and its identification by hardness and color. Zeolites, while not major rock formers, are highlighted for their chemical relation to feldspar and their importance as inorganic cation exchangers in water and wastewater treatment. The paragraph concludes with a summary of the significance of these minerals in geological processes and industrial applications.

Keywords

💡Rock-forming minerals

Rock-forming minerals are those that are abundant enough to be a significant component in the formation of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks. They are the building blocks of the Earth's crust and play a crucial role in geological processes. In the script, rock-forming minerals are described as the foundation of the Earth's solid structure, contributing to the formation of mountains and valleys. Examples given include feldspar, quartz, and mica, which are among the most common minerals in the Earth's crust.

💡Feldspar

Feldspar is identified as the most common mineral in the Earth's crust. It is an aluminum silicate and is found in nearly all igneous rocks. Feldspars are characterized by their hardness, which is about 6 on the Mohs scale, and their specific gravity of approximately 2.6. They exhibit a glassy or pearly luster and are used in various industrial applications such as glass making and ceramics. The script mentions that feldspar's physical properties and crystal forms are very similar, with crystal angles close to 60 and 120 degrees.

💡Quartz

Quartz is a chemical compound consisting of silicon and oxygen, and it is the most abundant mineral found at the Earth's surface. It is known for its unique properties and wide range of applications, including the making of oscillators for clocks and electronics. Quartz can be found in various colors and is characterized by its vitreous luster and hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. The script emphasizes quartz's abundance in different types of rocks and its significant role in various industries.

💡Amphiboles

Amphiboles are complex hydrosilicates containing calcium, magnesium, and iron. They are hard minerals that can be black, dark brown, green, or blue and are commonly found in dark-colored igneous rocks. Amphiboles are described in the script as having cleavage planes that form wedge-shaped fragments and are used as crushed stone for construction purposes. Their hardness ranges from 5 to 6, and their specific gravity varies from 2.9 to 3.6.

💡Micas

Micas are a group of silicate minerals known as sheet silicates due to their distinct layered structure. They are soft, light, and flexible, with a hardness ranging from 2.5 to 4 and a specific gravity from 2.8 to 3.0. Micas are common in granites and metamorphic rocks and are used as electrical insulators. The script describes micas as having a hexagonal sheet-like structure, which is a prominent feature contributing to their physical properties.

💡Olivine

Olivine, also known as crysolite or peridot, is a magnesium iron silicate that is prevalent in the Earth's upper mantle. It is found in igneous rocks rich in magnesium and low in quartz. Olivine has a glassy luster and varies in color from transparent to translucent green shades. Its hardness is between 6.5 to 7, and its specific gravity ranges from 3.2 to 4.5. The script mentions that most olivine is used in industrial processes as a flux conditioner.

💡Garnet

Garnets are minerals that are well-known as gems but also occur as common constituents in igneous and metamorphic rocks. They are hard minerals, with a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5, and are commonly red-brown in color. Garnets form crystals in the isometric system and are used industrially as well as in jewelry. The script notes that while garnets are often thought of as gemstones, most are mined for their industrial applications.

💡Calcite

Calcite is a rock-forming mineral with a chemical formula of calcium carbonate. It is extremely common in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Calcite is characterized by its three perfect cleavages, which give it a distinctive six-sided polyhedral shape. It has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 2.71. The script highlights calcite's widespread use in various industries, including construction, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.

💡Pyroxenes

Pyroxenes are complex silicates closely related to amphiboles and are often found as primary minerals in igneous rocks. They have cleavage angles close to 90 degrees, resulting in square cleavage fragments. Pyroxenes are typically gray or green and have a hardness between 5 to 7, with a specific gravity ranging from 3.2 to 3.5. The script mentions that while some pyroxene minerals are used as gem materials, their industrial use is limited due to their rarity in attractive colors and clarity.

💡Chlorite

Chlorite is a group of common silicate minerals that form during the early stages of metamorphism. They are green in color and have a foliated appearance with perfect cleavage. Chlorite minerals have a hardness ranging from 2 to 3 and a specific gravity value of 2.6 to 3.3. The script notes that chlorite is significant as a disinfection by-product when chlorine dioxide is used as a disinfectant in water treatment.

💡Zeolites

Zeolites are not major rock-forming minerals but are widely distributed and chemically related to feldspar. They are characterized by their ability to release water when heated, which is where their name 'boiling stone' originates. Zeolites are pale, soft minerals with a low density and hardness of 3.5 to 4. They are important in industrial applications, particularly as cation exchangers in water and wastewater treatment. The script highlights their role in industrial processes beyond their geological occurrence.

Highlights

Rock-forming minerals are crucial as they form the building blocks of the solid Earth, contributing to the formation of mountains and valleys.

There are nearly 5,000 known mineral species, yet rocks are predominantly formed from a few common minerals known as rock-forming minerals.

Feldspar is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust, often found in igneous rocks and used in various industrial applications.

Quartz, a compound of silicon and oxygen, is the most abundant mineral at the Earth's surface with a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale.

Amphiboles are complex hydrosilicates that can be black, dark brown, green, or blue and are commonly found in dark-colored igneous rocks.

Micas are sheet silicates known for their physical flexibility and are used as electrical insulators and in thermal insulation.

Olivine, a magnesium iron silicate, is prevalent in the Earth's upper mantle and is found in igneous rocks rich in magnesium.

Garnets, commonly known as gems, are also rock-forming minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, valued for their hardness and color.

Calcite, a calcium carbonate mineral, is extremely common in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks and is used in construction and as an abrasive.

Pyroxenes are complex silicates often found as primary minerals in igneous rocks, with a hardness between 5 to 7.

Chlorite is a group of silicate minerals that form during metamorphism, characterized by their green color and foliated appearance.

Serpentine is a magnesium silicate that occurs as a secondary mineral in metamorphic rocks and is used as a decorative stone.

Staurolite, an iron aluminum silicate, is used in geologic field work to assess the metamorphic history of rocks.

Epidote is a complex silicate found in metamorphic rocks, often identified by its green to brown color and hardness.

Zeolites are not major rock-formers but are significant inorganic cation exchangers used in water and wastewater treatment.

Transcripts

study of frog forming minerals

rock forming mineral is any mineral that

forms igneous

sedimentary or metamorphic rocks and

that typically or soil deforms

as an intimate part of rock making

processes

rock forming minerals are as

miscellaneous a group as the gems

they are important as the building

blocks of the solid earth

from which mountains are made and

valleys carved

they furnish the minerals of our soil in

the salt of disease

there are almost 5 000 known mineral

species

yet the vast majority of rocks are

formed

from combinations of a few common

minerals referred to as rock fermi

minerals

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to be considered a common rock-forming

mineral

a mineral must be one of the most

abundant minerals in earth's crust

be one of the original minerals present

at the time of across the rocks

formation

and be an important mineral in

determining a rough specification

minerals that is limit this criterias

include false spores

quartz amphiboles micas

olivine garnet

calcite pyroxene chloride

serpentine starlight epidote

and zeolite false parts are the most

common mineral in the earth's crust

they are reasonably hard are often white

cream pink

and may form crystals that look like

small blocks

false parts are found in nearly all

igneous rocks

and in rocks formed from them all are

aluminum silicates combined

with one or two more metals feldspars

have common physical properties

where crystal forms are very similar and

the crystal angles are all close to 60

degrees and 120 degrees

feldspars show two good clubbage faces

at right angles or nearly so their

hardness

is six or a bit more and their specific

gravity is approximately 2.6

they usually have a smooth glassy or

pearly luster

feldspar is a common raw material used

in glass making

ceramics and to some extent as a filler

and extender in paint

plastics and rubber quartz is a chemical

compound consisting of one part silicon

and two parts oxygen it is the most

abundant mineral found at earth's

surface

and its unique properties make it one of

the most useful natural substances

quarks forms at all temperatures it is

abundant in igneous

metamorphic and sedimentary rocks quartz

can be in many different colors

in its purest form it is a clear or

white color

quartz also has a vitreous fluster which

means that it interacts with light in

the same way that clusters

in terms of hardness quartz is

relatively hard for a mineral

and the same was scale hardness of seven

it has a specific gravity between 2.6

and 2.7

depending on its type quartz crystals

are used to make oscillators for clocks

and electronic gradient amphiboles are

complex hydrosilicates containing

calcium

magnesium and iron amphibole minerals

are hard and can be black

dark brown green or blue they occur

commonly in dark colored igneous rocks

as small blocky or elongated crystals

the cleavage planes run at about 55

degrees and 125 degrees

forming wedge-shaped cleavage fragments

amphiboles can be very difficult to

distinguish from pyroxenes if the

crystals are small

the hardness ranges from 5 to 6 and the

specific gravity value ranges from 2.9

to 3.6

amphiboles is used as crushed stone for

the usual crushed stone applications

such as road and railroad bed

construction

mika is a mineral name given to a group

of minerals

that are physically and chemically

similar

they are all silicate minerals known as

sheet silicates because they form in

distinct layers

mikas are fairly light and relatively

soft and the sheets and flakes are

flexible

it is common in granites and similar

igneous rocks

and also form in metamorphic rocks as

other minerals are altered by heat and

pressure

it has large six-sided crystals

some weighing as much as 100 tons

the most ideal cleavage is clarified by

the hexagonal sheet sheet-like structure

of its atoms which is the most prominent

feature of

mica mika's hardness ranges from 2.5 to

4

and it has a specific gravity that

ranges from 2.8 to 3.0 mikas are used as

electrical insulators in electric

equipment

thermal insulation olivine

also called crysolite or peridot is the

most

common member of a group of silicates it

is the earth's upper mantle's main

element

in a prevalent mineral in the subsurface

of earth

but weathers rapidly on the ground

olivine is a magnesium iron silicate

colored various shades of green its

luster is glassy

from transparent to translucent it is

found in igneous rocks

that are rich in magnesium and low in

quartz

as best sold in gabriel also in

metamorph post

dolomites it is often found in the form

of small grains or in large granular

masses

it has a hardness between 6.5 to 7

and a specific gravity of 3.2 to 4.5

most olivine is used in mythological

processes

as a slug conditioner garnet

garnets are better known as gems than as

rock forming minerals

but they are common and form a small but

conspicuous ingredient

of igneous and metabolic rocks it

commonly occurs in medium grade

regional metabolic rocks as crystals and

obvious crystal faces

garnet is a very hard mineral that can

be red

brown yellow or green but most commonly

red brown in color they all form

crystals in the isometric system

usually with 12 or 24 sites

though sometimes combined forms with 36

or 48 phases are found chemically

garnets contain the elements calcium

magnesium

iron and aluminum combined with silicon

and oxygen

garnet has a hardness of 6.5

to 7.5 it has a specific gravity of 3.5

to garnet is usually thought of as a

gemstone

but most garnet is mined for industrial

uses

calcite calcite is a rock-forming

mineral with a chemical formula of

calcium carbonate

it is extremely common and found

throughout the world in sedimentary

metamorphic and igneous rocks three

perfect cleavages

give calcite six sided polyhedrons with

diamond shaped faces

the angles defining the faces are 78

degrees

and 102 degrees calcite is number three

on the most

hardness scale it has a specific gravity

of 2.71

the properties of calcite make it one of

the most widely used minerals

it is used as a construction material

abrasive

agricultural soil treatment construction

aggregate

pigment pharmaceutical and more

pyroxene pyroxenes are complex silicates

closely related to the amphiboles

pyroxenes are often found as primary

minerals in igneous rocks

their cleavage angles are close to 90

degrees giving squared cleavage

fragments

they too are often fibrous or like

most are gray or green greeting into

block

pyroxenes have a hardness between 5 to 7

specific gravity ranges from 3.2

to 3.5 increases with iron content

a few pyroxene minerals are used as gem

materials

but only in rare instances when they

have attractive color and clarity

chlorate chloride is the name of a group

of common shade silicate minerals

that form during the early stages of

metamorphism

most chloride minerals are green in

color of a foliated appearance

perfect cleavage and an oily to soapy

fill

they are found in igneous metamorphic

and sedimentary rocks

in most scale its hardness ranges from

two to three

it has a specific gravity value of 2.6

to 3.3

chloride are disinfection by-products

resulting from the use of chlorine

dioxide

as a disinfectant and for other ortis

control in water

serpentine serpentine is a magnesium

silicate with water but may

include small amounts of iron or nickel

a number of other varieties depend on

physical characteristics

especially color and lustre common or

massive serpentine

barries from cream white throw all

shades of green to black

streak is white the mineral serpentine

is a secondary mineral

which also occurs as a metamorphosed

serpentine rock

serpentine has a hardness between 3 and

6

specific gravity of 2.5 to 2.6

serpentine is used mainly as a

decorative stone

or for ornamental objects

storalite storalite is an iron aluminum

silicate

often found with garnets in such

metamorphic rocks

it is usually brown or black in color

with the resin used to beat reuse luster

its drake is grey star light

almost always occurs in crystals as

orthorhombic prisms

and commonly as twin crystals

historilite has a mouse hardness of 7 to

7.5

it has a specific gravity of 3.7 to 3.8

it is used in geologic field work to

assess the temperature pressure

conditions of a rock's metamorphic

history

epidural epidote is one of a group of

complex silicates of calcium and

aluminum with water

it forms in nearly every type of

metamorphic rocks

in cracks and seams as crystals or as

thin green crusts

it is a typical mineral where igneous

rocks have come in contact with

limestone

epidotes collar varies from green to

brown and black

it can be easily identified by hardness

and color

it has a more scale hardness of 6 to 7

specific gravity of 3.3 to 3.6

epidote has no significant use as an

industrial mineral

and has only minor use as a gemstone

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zeolite zeolites are not major rock

formers

but they are widely distributed all are

chemically related to the feldspar

with the addition of water chemically

combined

this water is held loosely so all ceo

lights

boil in bubble when heated by a blowpipe

their name means boiling stone zeolites

and their associates

are often found in lavas filling

cavities in

veins all are pale fairly soft minerals

of low density

with the most hardness of 3.5 to 4

specific gravity of 2.1 to 2.2

based on the pore size and absorption

properties xeolites are among the most

important inorganic cation exchangers

and are used in industrial application

for water and waste water treatment

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that's all thank you