Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

tmahfan117 t1_j9kmhoy wrote

No, minerals are “a solid, inorganic substance of natural occurrence” so a lot of solids are minerals yes, but not all solids.

Any solids that are organic, like wood, are not minerals.

And any solids that are naturally occurring, like Steel or Bronze, are not minerals.

20

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j9kntpo wrote

Neither steel not bronze are naturally occurring, nor minerals. They are both human made alloys that are not naturally occurring

16

Stebanoid t1_j9kpzuq wrote

In geology, mineral must also have crystalline structure. So, obsidian is a natural inorganic rock, but not a mineral, because it's a glass, not a crystal or a bunch of crystals.

6

CaitlinN22 OP t1_j9kn6f4 wrote

Can a mineral have different sets of chemical elements in each sample of the same material?

3

breckenridgeback t1_j9kovqp wrote

To a point. Some minerals form a series where, for example, you might replace aluminum with magnesium or whatever. But a mineral by definition has to have a specific composition or range of compositions. That's what distinguishes it from a rock (which is a collection of [possibly many different] minerals).

3

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j9ko2x7 wrote

There can be different contaminats in the same mineral, but generally the chemical composition of a mineral is going to be the same in every version of that mineral. If it differs, it's a different mineral.

2

Emyrssentry t1_j9koipa wrote

As an example, both sapphires and rubies are the same mineral (corundum) with different impurities that change the color.

2

Jimithyashford t1_j9komy6 wrote

Doesn't Organic mean "containing carbon"? So would iron be a mineral but steel not be?

1

ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j9kovxq wrote

Correct. Also, steel is a man-made alloy and therefore not naturally occurring. Same with bronze

1

JensAypa t1_j9knm2p wrote

Wikipedia : "a mineral or mineral species is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound with a fairly well-defined chemical composition and a specific crystal structure that occurs naturally in pure form".

So artificial solids (plastic, steel...), or solids coming from living organisms (wood, coal), are - most of the time - not minerals. And rocks are generally a bunch of different minerals stuck together.

3

Unhappy_Kumquat t1_j9kqlba wrote

Which is also why, by definition, ice is a mineral, unless it comes from a freezer.

2

breckenridgeback t1_j9kp4od wrote

Notably, though, this is a definition of convenience, since man-made materials absolutely can show the same properties that natural minerals do, and be studied with some of the same tools.

1

jonnyclueless t1_j9kt283 wrote

Seeing as all elements can be solid depending on their temperature that would have to mean every element would be a mineral, so I can't imagine it to be the case.

1

sighthoundman t1_j9kyogf wrote

Some definitions call for "chemical compounds". So Iron isn't a mineral, but iron oxide is.

1

ImpressiveShift3785 t1_j9kviha wrote

A kitchen table is not a mineral. Minerals also need homogenous elemental composition.

Some argue ice is a mineral.

1

explainlikeimfive-ModTeam t1_j9l42jq wrote

Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):

ELI5 is not for straightforward answers or facts - ELI5 is for requesting an explanation of a concept, not a simple straightforward answer.

If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe this was removed erroneously, please use this form first. If you believe this was removed erroneously, please use this form and we will review your submission.

1

spicyestmemelord t1_j9krs7z wrote

Comments aren’t loading so apologies if already answered.

Ice is solid water. Water is not a mineral.

0

ruidh t1_j9kx5q0 wrote

Ice is a mineral when it occurs naturally. Liquid water is not.

1

PaulBardes t1_j9kz9kr wrote

The necessity of a crystalline structure on the definition seems like an unnecessary restriction imo.

1

PaulBardes t1_j9kzmfi wrote

Yes, that's my point. I don't see how melting something turns it into a non-mineral.

1

ruidh t1_j9kzdrt wrote

Ice has a crystalline structure.

1

PaulBardes t1_j9kz3bn wrote

Not true in my county... Here ground water is considered a mineral actually.

1