Minerals
Minerals
We are now living in the 21st centuries. To fuel our modern life, whether we realise it or not, our needs are revolving around the Earth’s natural resources. One of the main resources is minerals. In this present time, minerals are essential to our lives because the majority of metals, chemicals and industrial products come from minerals. We use them generally and sometimes unconsciously. The minerals help us in many ways, especially in our economy. Why not learn more about it and how to actually conserve this resource; although it is not proven scientifically that it is running out, it is better to be well prepared for the worst. So let us begin.
Formation & History
Minerals are a substance that must be solid and have crystalline structure. They form naturally, a homogeneous substance which is a distinct chemical composition. The most visible examples of minerals are stones and rocks. With the exception of mercury, minerals are hard, compact and heavy. Their solid masses form shapes called crystals that have constant, regular shape. Apart from mercury, no other minerals are found in the form of liquid. However,in 1995 the International Mineralogical Association adopted a new definition of minerals ;
“A mineral is an element or chemical compound that is normally crystalline and that has been formed as a result of geological processes.”
We have researched about minerals and have picked five different types of minerals with their usage and importance to our world. We also have concluded on how they can be conserved.
Fun fact:
Did you know that there are nearly 3000 different types of named minerals? It’s true! Their number is always increasing – in fact, 30 new minerals are discovered every year!
Images of Minerals
| An iron ore. Source : product-image.tradeindia.com |
A bauxite. Source : mii.org |
Examples of Minerals
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Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the most abundant metals in the Earth’s crust. It is silvery white and ductile. It makes up around 8% of the weight of the Earth’s solid surface. Aluminium is found chemically combined in over 270 different minerals and the head source of this metal is bauxite ore. This remarkable metal that can resist corrosian is apparently not soluble in water under normal conditions. Furthermore, aluminium is soft, low-density, a sturdy, malleable metal with manifestation assortments from silvery to dull grey, depending on the surface's irregularity.
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Bauxite
Bauxite is basically known as the primary ore for making aluminum. It was discovered by geologist Pierre Berthier in a village that lies in southern France, Les Baux. Bauxite was name after the village. Presently, 95% of all bauxite is made into aluminum. Bauxite is formed under lateritic weathering and residual accumulation of intercalated clays or of clayey dissolution residues of the limestone. The process of lateritic bauxite occurs in many countries of the tropical belt. Most are formed by lateralisation. The formation of bauxite demands even more intense weathering conditions compared to iron-rich literates. It also requires very good drainage.
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Copper
Copper was first used as early as 10,000 years ago. Apparently, a copper pendant from about 8700 B.C. was found in what is now northern Iraq. Copper is one of the basic chemical elements. It is a reddish metal that occurs naturally in rock, soil, sediments, water and air. In its nearly pure state, this metal is known for its high thermal and electrical conductivity. Because of its exclusive chemical and physical properties, it is one of the most commercially important metals.
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Iron
Iron is the 26th element in the periodic table of elements with the symbol Fe. It is a transition metal, which is located in the d-block of the periodic table. It has a lustrous metallic, grayish tinge appearance. Iron is the sixth most abundant element in the Universe, formed as the final act of Nucleosynthesis, by silicon fusing in massive stars.
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Zinc
Zinc is an element metal usually it is gray metallic in colour. This metal can be polished to a shiny silver. It can only be found as a compound but it can be used gray metallic color, but it can be polished to a shiny silvers. Zinc cannot be found us pure zinc but as a chemical compound.
Images of Minerals
| A native copper. Source : upload.wikimedia.org |
A zinc. Source : upload.wikimedia.org |
An element of aluminum. Source : theodoregray.com |
Minerals and Their Uses
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Aluminium
Aluminium is used excessively on this 21st century. One of the most common uses of this element is packaging such as tins, foil and many more. Transport industry needs aluminium for its light weight ratio. This metal is an excellent conductor for electricity. Structures made of aluminium practically safeguarding free due to the strength of aluminium's corrosion resistance.
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Bauxite
Bauxite is the primary ore in making aluminium. Almost 95% of all bauxite mined in the world is used to make aluminium.
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Copper
Copper is easily moulded and shaped, it is commonly used to produce a variety of products. For example, you can find it anywhere in your house. The electrical wire, cooking pots and pans, pipes and tubes, automobile radiators and many other things are made of copper . Not only that, this multi-purpose metal can be used as a pigment and preservative for paper, paint, textiles and wood. In addition, copper compounds are also used as an agricultural pesticide and to control algae and reservoirs. It can combine with zinc to produce brass and with tin to produce bronze.
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Iron
Iron is mostly used in the steelmaking business. It is mined as iron ore and has to be converted into iron or steel. Iron is needed in the human body. Men require approximately 7 mg of iron on a daily basis, whereas women require 11 mg. The difference is determined by menstrual cycles. When people feed normally these amounts can be obtained rapidly. The body absorbs approximately 25% of all iron present in food.
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Zinc
There are many uses of zinc. Mainly, zinc is used as the protective coating for iron and steel. Other than iron and steel, it is also a main alloy for brass. Zinc plates are used widely in electric batteries. Zinc white or Chinese white also known as Zinc Oxide is used as paint pigments. In addition, zinc is also used for medical purposes, plus it can boost brain activity.