Chemistry of Minerals

Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network

Chemistry Connections

The Chemistry of Minerals

Episode #4

Welcome to Chemistry Connections, my name is Ben Ault and I am your host for episode #4 called The Chemistry of Minerals. Today I will be discussing the chemistry behind the formation and properties of minerals.

Segment 1: Introduction to Minerals

Minerals are a classification of substances that are formed naturally via geological processes and form crystalline structures. Specifically, this means that they are usually formed by different substances undergoing reactions deep beneath the earth's surface, under extreme temperature and pressure conditions.

In this segment, I'll cover:

What defines a mineral
The result of the chemical properties of minerals
The difference between rocks and minerals
Species distinctions of minerals
Classification of minerals

Segment 2: The Chemistry Behind Minerals

All of this is a result of the atomic behaviors of the elements that compose each mineral. All of these phenomena and patterns can be explained by delving into the chemistry within each mineral.

In this segment, I'll cover:

Topic 1: Formation

Conditions that enable the formation of minerals
How the conditions can affect the types of minerals created
Formation through volcanic or oceanic activity

Topic 2: Properties as a result of bond types

Bond structures of minerals
Empirical structures and formulas
Conditions that determine bond structure
Crystal structures in relation to bond structure
Malleability and pure metallic minerals

Topic 3: Properties as a result of elemental composition

How elemental composition affects color
Predictions of elements in a mineral based off of color
Fluorescent minerals

Segment 3: Personal Connections

When I was in kindergarten, I had a teacher that gave my class little rocks and minerals for doing well, and explained to us whatever we could understand at that age. Since then, I've kept my collection of rocks and I've consistently been curious about what makes rocks and minerals behave the way they do.

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