Minerals

You interact with a variety of minerals every day. Minerals are found in your electronic devices, the food you eat, the paint on your walls, and even in your toothpaste. But, what makes up these minerals, and how are they classified? Protons, neutrons, and electrons are the pieces that make up atoms, the simplest form of matter. Atoms of the same type chemically combine to form elements, which can then further combine into compounds. There are thousands of naturally occurring compounds that have similar characteristics and are classified as minerals. In this topic, you will learn about minerals, how they form, and how they are classified.

Essential Questions

• What are the characteristics of a mineral?
• How and why are minerals classified into groups?
• What are the seven mineral groups?