Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 3 - Section 3.1 - Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks - Concept Checks - Page 75: 2

Answer

Based on the definition of a mineral, the materials that are not classified as minerals among the given options are water, ice, and wood materials. 1. Water: While water is essential for life and exists in various forms (liquid, solid, gas), it does not have a crystalline structure. Additionally, water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen in a fixed ratio, but it does not have a definite chemical composition as required for minerals. 2. Ice: Ice is the solid form of water and shares the same characteristics that make water non-mineral. It lacks a crystalline structure and does not have a fixed chemical composition. 3. Wood Materials: Wood is an organic material derived from plants. Minerals are inorganic substances, and organic materials such as wood do not meet the criteria of a mineral. Wood consists of complex organic compounds and does not possess a definite chemical composition or a crystalline structure. On the other hand, gold and synthetic diamonds are classified as minerals. Gold has a definite chemical composition (Au) and forms a crystalline structure, fulfilling the requirements of being a mineral. Synthetic diamonds, despite being created in a laboratory, have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as naturally occurring diamonds, making them minerals.

Work Step by Step

Based on the definition of a mineral, the materials that are not classified as minerals among the given options are water, ice, and wood materials. 1. Water: While water is essential for life and exists in various forms (liquid, solid, gas), it does not have a crystalline structure. Additionally, water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen in a fixed ratio, but it does not have a definite chemical composition as required for minerals. 2. Ice: Ice is the solid form of water and shares the same characteristics that make water non-mineral. It lacks a crystalline structure and does not have a fixed chemical composition. 3. Wood Materials: Wood is an organic material derived from plants. Minerals are inorganic substances, and organic materials such as wood do not meet the criteria of a mineral. Wood consists of complex organic compounds and does not possess a definite chemical composition or a crystalline structure. On the other hand, gold and synthetic diamonds are classified as minerals. Gold has a definite chemical composition (Au) and forms a crystalline structure, fulfilling the requirements of being a mineral. Synthetic diamonds, despite being created in a laboratory, have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as naturally occurring diamonds, making them minerals.
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