Science Common Sense

1028 - What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?

A mineral and a rock are often mixed up but they're not the same thing.

A rock is a mix of different minerals stuck together. Think of rocks as groups of friends holding hands.

A mineral is one specific type of substance, with a particular arrangement of tiny particles, like building blocks or Lego pieces. Minerals are made of one or more elements like iron or oxygen. Examples of minerals are quartz and diamonds.

So, rocks are like teams of minerals holding together, but minerals are individual members of those teams!