The geological question: what are the minerals different from rocks

Often in the popular science literature there are terms "minerals" and "rocks." People who do not have specialized education do not share these concepts, perceiving these words almost as synonyms. This is categorically wrong. Let's figure out how the minerals differ from rocks.

Minerals

In order to find out what the mineral differs from the rock, let's consider each natural formation in detail. According to the requirements of the International Mineralogical Association, the minerals include solids formed in the bowels of the Earth or its surfaces, having the same chemical composition and crystalline structure.

But not all minerals exactly meet the definition. For example, there are substances that have the same chemical composition, but do not form a crystal lattice, so-called amorphous minerals (opal). The atoms in such structures are very close to each other and do not form an ordered system. The bond between the atoms is strong enough. Their structure can be compared with glass.

Classification of minerals

Scientists have about 2500 minerals, which have their own species. According to the chemical elements that make up the composition, the minerals are divided into several groups:

• Native elements are substances whose crystal lattice consists of only one chemical element. For example, sulfur, gold, platinum. An interesting fact: diamond and graphite are minerals, consisting only of carbon, but having a different crystalline structure. At the same time, the diamond is a standard of strength, and graphite, on the contrary, is very soft. This group includes about 90 minerals.
• Sulphides are minerals whose crystals consist of sulfur and metals or non-metals. For example, galena, sphalerite. An interesting fact: the mineral pyrite has the second name "gold fools". This is due to the fact that externally pyrite in color and metallic luster is similar to a precious metal. This group includes about 200 minerals.
• Sulfates are natural salts of sulfuric acid. For example, barite, jarosite, gypsum, anhydrite. An interesting fact: barite is the only mineral capable of neutralizing X-rays. Therefore, screens in X-ray rooms consist of that mineral, and the walls are covered with barite plaster. The group includes about 260 minerals.
• Halides are minerals formed as a result of the combination of different chemical elements with halogens. For example, fluorite, sylvite, halite. An interesting fact: the Roman emperor Nero had a weakness for fluorite, buying products from it for a very large amount of money. The group includes about 100 minerals.
• Phosphates are natural salts of phosphoric acid. For example, vivianite, purpurite, apatite. An interesting fact: turquoise is the most beloved jewel of the Persians. The cost of some specimens is 3-4 times higher than the price of gold. The group has about 350 minerals.
• Carbonates are natural salts of carbonic acid. For example, calcite, dolomite, magnesite. Interesting fact: in the Alps mountain chain there is an array called the Dolomites, because the composition of rocks includes dolomite. The mountains become pink when they hit the sun's rays.
• Oxides are minerals formed as a result of the combination of metals and oxides. For example, alexandrite, flint, opal. Interesting fact: ametrin is one of the rarest on the planet. Its peculiarity is that the drawing of a precious stone is unique, each new copy differs from the previous one. The group has about 200 minerals.
• Silicates - the most extensive group of minerals, which include silicon, aluminum. For example, topaz, plagioclase, serpentine. Interesting fact: before even before the invention of glass, mica plates were inserted in the windows.

Now, in order to see the difference and differences of rocks and minerals, we will analyze the first term.

Rocks

In the earth's crust, minerals are not found in single specimens. As a rule, under the influence of external factors, they combine to form rocks. Thus, the minerals differ from the rock in that they are its constituent brick. But not all minerals are involved in the formation of the rock. Therefore, scientists divide them into rock-forming (mostly silicates) and additional ones.

Classification of rocks

For a better understanding of how minerals differ from rocks, we will analyze the formation of the latter. Geologists distinguish three groups of rocks along the path of their origin:

• Magmatic ones were formed as a result of the outflow of magma in the earth's crust or on the surface (volcanoes). They are the primary rocks, from which, as a result of various environmental influences, the rocks of the two remaining groups were formed. For example, granite, basalt, gabbro.
• Metamorphic formed as a result of tectonic movements of the earth's crust. This means that sedimentary rocks and magmatites once again found themselves in the terrestrial stratum and there, under the influence of high temperatures and pressure, were transformed into new rocks. For example, gneiss, shale, marble.
• The share of sedimentary rocks accounts for only 10%. They are formed as a result of the action of wind, water on magmatites located on the surface of the Earth. For example, eluvium, deluvium, alluvium.

The formation of rocks and minerals is an inseparable process. We determined what minerals differ from rocks, and we can confidently say that these components of the earth's crust are interrelated.