Physical Geography

Each mineral has a crystalline structure and almost a definite chemical composition. The properties, which are related directly to the chemical composition of minerals, are isomorphism, polymorphism, and pseudomorphism. Each of the three properties is directly influenced by the chemical composition of the minerals.

Isomorphism. When variation in chemical...

Silicate Mineral Structure

The Silicate minerals group is of great importance because they constitute about 90% of the Earth’s crust. They are found in all the common rocks except limestone. To understand the differences between major silicate mineral groups, it is necessary to study their structure. Every silicate mineral contains oxygen and silicon, and all except quartz, c...

Physical Properties of Mineral

One can readily determine the physical properties of the minerals merely by inspection or simple tests. Because the physical properties are determined in hand specimens, they are important in the recognition of minerals in the field. The chief physical properties are colour, streak, lustre, hardness, habit, cleavage, fracture, odour, feel, tenac...