Minerals

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 What are Minerals?

Minerals are naturally occurring, solid substances found on Earth with a fixed chemical composition. They can be either elements or compounds.

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Types of Minerals:

1. Native Minerals (Pure Elements)

  • Gold (Au)
  • Silver (Ag)
  • Copper (Cu)
  • Sulfur (S)
  • Diamond (Carbon)

2. Compound Minerals

  • Quartz (SiO₂) – Silicon dioxide
  • Calcite (CaCO₃) – Calcium carbonate
  • Pyrite (FeS₂) – Iron sulfide
  • Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) – Iron oxide

🔹 Uses of Minerals

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Construction Materials:

  • Cement – from calcite, quartz, alumina
  • Glass – from quartz (silica)
  • Plaster of Paris – from gypsum

Daily Use Items:

  • Talcum powder – from talc mineral
  • Toothpaste – contains fluoride minerals
  • Fertilizers – from phosphate minerals