submit urlsubmit rss feedadd directoryphysician directorycat declawing

article

Mineral definition and classification


To be classified as a "true" mineral, a substance must be a solid and have a crystal structure. It must also be an inorganic, naturally-occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition. The chemical composition may vary between end members of a mineral system. For example the plagioclase feldspars comprise a continuous series from sodium-rich albite (NaAlSi3O8) to calcium-rich anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) with four recognized intermediate compositions between. Mineral-like substances that don't strictly meet the definition are sometimes classified as mineraloids. Other natural-occurring substances are Nonminerals. Industrial minerals is a market term and refers to commercially valuable mined materials (see also Minerals and Rocks section below).

A crystal structure is the orderly geometric spatial arrangement of atoms in the internal structure of a mineral. There are 14 basic crystal lattice arrangements of atoms in three dimensions, and these are referred to as the 14 "Bravais lattices". Each of these lattices can be classified into one of the six crystal systems, and all crystal structures currently recognized fit in one Bravais lattice and one crystal system. This crystal structure is based on regular internal atomic or ionic arrangement that is often expressed in the geometric form that the crystal takes. Even when the mineral grains are too small to see or are irregularly shaped, the underlying crystal structure is always periodic, and can be determined by X-ray diffraction.

Chemistry and crystal structure together define a mineral. In fact, two or more minerals may have the same chemical composition, but differ in crystal structure (these are known as polymorphs). For example, pyrite and marcasite are both iron sulfide, but their arrangement of atoms differs. Similarly, some minerals have different chemical compositions, but the same crystal structure: for example, halite (made from sodium and chlorine), galena (made from lead and sulfur) and periclase (made from magnesium and oxygen) all share the same cubic crystal structure.

More on [ Mineral ]


directory of related categories

Dogs@
 
 
directory of related topics

Feeds, Minerals, Supplements :: Livestock
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and Minerals :: Nutrients
Vitamins and Minerals :: Supplements
Dietary Supplements :: Health
Natural and Herbal :: Health
Feed and Supplements :: Healthcare and Grooming

 
Vitamins_and_Minerals RSS feed
Vitamins and Minerals - Twitter Search

Are you low in energy? Likely that you are lacking certain vitamins and minerals. Check out this solution http://bit.ly/viGUA
davesheahan1 (dave Sheahan) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:40:54 -0000
Are you low in energy? Likely that you are lacking certain vitamins and minerals. Check out this solution http://bit.ly/viGUA
@rockdrool absolutely ! it has all those vitamins and minerals... like... well theres just too many to list!
ComplicatedMama (Complicated Mama) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:38:39 -0000
@rockdrool absolutely ! it has all those vitamins and minerals... like... well theres just too many to list!
a gut full of fish, chips and beer - vital vitamins and minerals for growing a Mo #movember
weggy1978 (Andrew) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:23:17 -0000
a gut full of fish, chips and beer - vital vitamins and minerals for growing a Mo #movember
they sell a version of diet coke with some kind of "added vitamins and minerals" or something. why does this make it seem LESs healthy? ew
twotimingpete (Matt White) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:16:36 -0000
they sell a version of diet coke with some kind of "added vitamins and minerals" or something. why does this make it seem LESs healthy? ew
Black Bean Soup: Food for Healthy Men: The soup is packed with fiber, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins and h.. http://bit.ly/qrsFk
antioxidantshot (antioxidants hot spr) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:32:15 -0000
Black Bean Soup: Food for Healthy Men: The soup is packed with fiber, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins and h.. http://bit.ly/qrsFk
New Article Know About Taking Advantage of the Benefits of Vitamins and Minerals: http://tinyurl.com/ykaxv8e
dixiniarticle (Suyato Mahawira) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:19:59 -0000
New Article Know About Taking Advantage of the Benefits of Vitamins and Minerals: http://tinyurl.com/ykaxv8e

 
Subscribe to Vitamins_and_Minerals RSS feed

directory of related sites

Arsenic - ProVet healthcare article on the benefits of feeding arsenic to animals.

Cleft palate and Vitamin A - ProVet healthcare information article on high vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy predisposing to cleft palate in puppies and kittens.

Cleft Palate and Vitamin or Fish Oil Supplements - Article on how too much vitamin A given to pregnant bitches and queens can cause cleft palate in their puppies and kittens.

Do Our Pets Need Vitamins? - Discussion of the water soluble and fat soluble vitamins, and how they apply to pet nutrition.

Lutein - ProVet healtcare information article on lutein in companion animal nutrition.

Niacin - ProVet healthcare information article on the role on niacin in pets.

Rickets - ProVet healthcare information article explaining what rickets is.

Silicon - Provet healthcare information article on silicon as an important trace mineral for animals.

Sodium in Pet Foods - Iams Company article on what sodium is and why it is important, sources of sodium in pet foods, howmuch sodium pets need, and when sodium restriction might be recommended.
Meta Description: [ Iams 404 Error Page ]

Sodium--the victim of erroneous perception. - The role of sodium in the pet diet, and common misconceptions.

Vitamin A - ProVet healthcare article discussing exesses and deficiencies of Vitamin A in the animal diet.

Vitamin B Complex in Renal Failure - ProVet pet healthcare information article, reviewing the importance of the B vitamins in kidney failure.

Vitamin E - ProVet healthcare information article on vitamin E as an essential component of every pet's diet.

Vitamins_and_Minerals related videos
Truth About Vitamins & Minerals Supplements Austin Nutrition
Next Video
Vitamins_and_Minerals related videos

 

HOMEADVERTISINGABOUT US

articlesartsbusinesscomputersgameshealthhospitalshomekids & teensnewsmobilephysiciansrecreationreferenceregionalscienceshoppingsocietysportsworld


Submit a Site About Become an Editor