The images above show two different colours of quartz. We know that quartz is a mineral found in the Earth's crust. Research quartz and demonstrate why it is a mineral by including at least three of the mineral criteria it meets.
Question
The images above show two different colours of quartz. We know that quartz is a mineral found in the Earth's crust. Research quartz and demonstrate why it is a mineral by including at least three of the mineral criteria it meets.
Solution
Sure, here is the information you requested:
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Quartz is a naturally occurring substance: One of the criteria for a substance to be considered a mineral is that it must occur naturally. Quartz is a good example of this as it is found abundantly in the Earth's crust and is not a man-made substance.
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Quartz has a definite chemical composition: Another criterion for a substance to be considered a mineral is that it must have a definite chemical composition. Quartz is made up of one part silicon and two parts oxygen, forming silicon dioxide (SiO2). This composition can vary slightly with the inclusion of trace elements, but it remains largely consistent.
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Quartz is solid and has a crystalline structure: Minerals must be solids under normal conditions and have a crystalline structure. Quartz meets this criterion as well. It is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. The crystals are hexagonal and can occur in different colors, depending on the impurities present during its formation.
Therefore, quartz meets at least three of the criteria to be classified as a mineral.
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