Minerals and Rocks Objectives

MINERALS AND ROCKS

Upon completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. describe the parts of an atom and explain the different types of bonding;
2. elaborate on the necessary features that substances need to have to qualify as minerals;
3. understand what a crystalline structure is and the factors that may change it;
4. examine the different properties that lead to mineral identification;
5. explain how rock forming minerals can be used as tools to identify the conditions under which a rock formed;
6. give an idea of the common rock forming minerals and the environments where they form;
7. discuss the different characteristics of the three main groups of rocks;
8. within each group of rocks, address the features that will provide information about past environments and therefore the history of the area.