Minerals from the ground
Gold and rock salt both come out of the ground. Both are minerals. Rock salt is also called halite.
Step 1 of 4
- Three things. Which ones are minerals?
- Native copper: call it pure copper. It is a native mineral.
- Quartz holds silicon and oxygen, one silicon to two oxygen. It is a compound mineral.
- A steel spoon is made by people. It is not a mineral.
A mineral is a solid that forms in nature. Most rocks hold several minerals mixed together. A native mineral is a mineral that is one pure element.
The rule
A mineral is a solid that forms in nature. Most minerals are compounds. A few are pure elements, called native minerals. Gold is both a native mineral and a metal.
Examples:
- Native copper: call it pure copper. A native mineral.
- Native sulfur: call it pure sulfur. A native mineral.
- Quartz holds silicon and oxygen. A compound mineral.
- Halite holds sodium and chlorine. A compound mineral.
- Galena holds lead and sulfur. A compound mineral.
Watch out!
On a food label, minerals means elements like calcium and iron. That is not the same as a mineral in a rock.
Read each card. Tap what it is.
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