Minerals Ores and Fossil Fuels EARTHS RESOURCES HAVE

Minerals, Ores and Fossil Fuels EARTH’S RESOURCES HAVE PROPERTIES THAT MAKE THEM IMPORTANT AND USEFUL.

Properties that determine the usefulness of an ore or mineral may be identified using a chart, diagram, or dichotomous key. There are two types of properties: 1. Physical Properties 2. Chemical Properties

Physical Properties Hardness (Moh’s hardness scale) Luster (shine) Color Texture (smooth, rough, bumpy, sharp) Cleavage (the way a mineral splits or breaks) Density (does it sink or float? )

Copy into notebook – use to answer questions

Questions àCan a Quartz scratch a Diamond? àWhich is harder – Fluorite or Apatite? àWhich mineral can scratch Calcite? àWhich mineral could most easily be made into a powder? àWhich mineral would make the best tool for digging? Worst? àWhich mineral can scratch a Diamond?

Chemical Properties Ability to burn (flammable? ) Reactivity to acids (what happens when HCL is dropped on it? )

Three common Earth resources that have importance based on their properties: Minerals Ores Fossil Fuels

Minerals are: natural inorganic solid materials found on Earth building blocks of rock Each has a specific chemical makeup and set of properties that determine their use and value

Ores Minerals that are mined Contain useful metals and nonmetals Examples: Kimberlite –diamond Iron Ore---Iron

Fossil Fuels Natural Fuels Come from the remains of living things Give off energy when they are burned Example: Coal Oil Natural gas