-Minerals have unique physical properties, chemical composition, and crystal structure, which helps geologists in classifying them into set categories.
 
 

Physical Properties

-Color

-Grain Size

-Rough or smooth to touch

-Layers orchunky crystals

-Breakage; planer(cleavage) or fracture

-Density

-Magnetism

-Conductivity

-Reaction with hydrochloric acid

-Hardness (Scratch test)

-Streak (The color of the powdered rock)
 
 

Common Classifications of Minerals Found in Rocks

-Quartz -K-feldspar -Albite

-Anorthite -Muscourite -Biotite

-Pyrobole -Olivine
 
 

Chemical Composition

-Using the process of X-ray analysis the chemicals in a certain mineral can be determined.

-When many X-rays are sent into the sample they initiate the individual atoms in the sample to radiate X-rays themselves.

-A computer picks up the X-rays produced by the atoms and then the elements and their amount in the sample can be identified by their specific energy patterns.
 
 

Crystalline Structure

-To be a crystal the sample has to have a set pattern in the arrangement of the atoms included in it.
 
 

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