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Mantle: below the crust, solid and homogeneous. Component: peridotite (rich in olivine).
Core: below the mantle to the centre of the Earth. Component: iron (80%) nickel (20%).
Parts: - Outer core liquid magma (currents) - Inner core solid, consists of iron.
Minerals - solids composed of one or more chemical elements. Ex: halite, quartz, pyrite.
- have impurities which affect characteristics like their colour.
- have varieties.
Rocks - can consist of only one mineral monomineralic. Ex: marble, table salt.
- most rocks consist of several minerals.
- conglomerates: rocks formed of fragments of minerals + fragments of rocks.
Elements in nature
Iron Silicon Chlorine
Iron + oxygen= hematite Usually combined with oxygen. Chlorine + sodium = salt
iron + sulphur= pyrite Used in: -microchips Main component of halite (table
Iron + carbon= steel -solar panels salt)
Magnesium Calcium Aluminium
Found in olivine and talc. Component of calcite Found in mica.
Used in fireworks. limestone. Combined with copper or zinc
Found in eggshells, bones, teeth produces strong light metals.
and coral
4. Properties of minerals
Minerals are naturally occurring (not made by human), inorganic (do not come from living things solid
substances. They have a definite chemical composition. Properties:
Sedimentary rocks: consist of layers formed when very deep sediments accumulate and compacted
and cemented by pressure.
Metamorphic rocks: formed by heat and pressure that changes minerals chemically but does not melt
the rock.
Igneous rocks are magmatic (formed from magma which is mixture of melted rocks).
Surface mines used when minerals are close to the surface/above the ground.
Underground mines when minerals are deep in the crust.
Quarries above-ground surface mine where blocks of rock such as marble/granite are mined.
Gravel pits above-ground mines where sand and gravel are extracted.