Science Common Sense

1804 - What are the chemical composition and physical properties of a mineral?

Chemical Composition: A mineral's chemical composition is what it's made of. It's the combination of elements, or building blocks, like oxygen, silicon, iron, and more, that make up the mineral. For example, quartz is made of silicon and oxygen, while iron ore (hematite) is made of iron and oxygen.

Physical Properties: Physical properties are the characteristics that we can see or measure, like:

1. Color: What the mineral looks like.
2. Streak: The color of the mineral when it's powdered or scratched.
3. Hardness: How easily the mineral scratches or breaks.
4. Luster: How shiny the mineral is.
5. Density: How heavy the mineral is.
6. Crystal Shape: The shape of the mineral's crystals.

These properties help us identify what type of mineral we have.