A mineral is a naturally occurring chemical compound, usually of crystallineform and not produced by life processes. A mineral has one specific chemical composition, whereas a rock can be an aggregate of different minerals ormineraloids. The study of minerals is called mineralogy.
There are 16 essential minerals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, and selenium, molybdenum, chromium, and fluoride
Minerals are distinguished by various chemical and physical properties. Differences in chemical composition and crystal structure distinguish the various species, which were determined by the mineral's geological environment when formed. Changes in the temperature, pressure, or bulk composition of a rock mass cause changes in its minerals. Within a mineral species there may be variation in physical properties or minor amounts of impurities that are recognized by mineralogists or wider society as a mineral variety,[4] for exampleamethyst, a purple variety of the mineral species quartz.
Minerals can be described by their various physical properties, which are related to their chemical structure and composition. Common distinguishing characteristics include crystal structure and habit, hardness, lustre, diaphaneity, colour, streak, tenacity, cleavage, fracture, parting, specific gravity, magnetism, taste or smell, radioactivity, and reaction to acid.
Silicates, oxides, sulfates, sulfides, carbonates, native elements, and halides are all major mineral groups.
Silicates OxidesSulfatesSulfidesCarbonatesNative ElementsHalides.

What do you mean by minerals ?

ans : Minerals are substances that are formed naturally in the Earth. Rocks are made of minerals. Minerals are usually solid, inorganic, have a crystal structure, and form naturally by geological processes. ... A mineral can be made of single chemical element or more usually a compound

How many types of minerals ?

anYOUA basic classification for minerals is:

Native elements. eg. Gold, Silver, Mercury, graphite, diamond.

Oxides. eg corundum (incl. sapphire), hematite, spinel.

Hydroxides. eg. Goethite, brucite.

Sulfides. eg. Pyrite, galena, sphalerite.

Sulfates. eg. Baryte, gypsum.

Carbonates. eg. Calcite, magnesite, dolomite.

Phosphates. eg. Apatite, monazite.

Halides. eg. Fluorite, halite (rock salt).

Silicates (most common)

Orthosilicates. eg. Garnet, olivine.

Ring silicates. eg. Tourmaline, beryl.

Chain silicates. eg. Pyroxenes, amphiboles.

Sheet silicates. eg. Muscovite mica, biotite mica, clay minerals

Framework silicates. eg. Quartz, feldspars, zeolites



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