For centuries, views on what minerals are constantly changing.And now, whether we like it or not, on all sides, we go on about the minerals.If you believe this "Love" to all advertising, they are everywhere, ranging from toothpaste and ending food for neutered cats.
So what minerals?And now this concept there is no consensus and the debate continues.If multiple simplify existing definition, the answer to the question "What is a mineral?" Can be summarized as follows: Minerals are solids having a natural origin and inorganic crystal structure, the composition of which can be represented by the chemical formula.That is, according to this definition, minerals - a substance formed during geological processes and having a defined chemical composition.They can feel physically, ie, felt, measured, weighed, or seeing, even if using optical instruments.From this perspective, the message of the minerals, for example, cat food, as we hear in commercials, it seems, at least in the usual gimmicky, but by and large - utter nonsense.While it is true there are natural minerals that we encounter on a daily basis at home, moreover, without which it is difficult to imagine a full life.One of them - the rock salt (halite).
very important characteristic of the minerals in this definition is their "natural inorganic origin."Of special interest is it "natural" origin.There is a huge number of possible chemical inorganic compounds known to chemists, but only a small fraction of these compounds is found in nature as the corresponding supply of certain minerals.The reason is that under laboratory conditions, chemists are able to create a greater variety of conditions than existing in the real nature, and collect in a "company" are chemicals that naturally occur practically together.
Continuing to find out, however, that such minerals, and what is not, we note that, strictly speaking, synthetic diamonds and rubies, created in the laboratory can not be called minerals.It can not be attributed to minerals, including to the natural (in spite of their natural origin), and known since ancient times amber and jet, which is a kind of viscous coal.The reason - lack of crystal structure.
lot of questions before the chemists, which classify minerals and mercury set - the only metal that occurs naturally in liquid form.Previously, when the minerals in the labeling of their fundamental role played composition mercury considered mineral (however, water also).Now, when added to the definition of minerals and the presence of the crystal structure, the majority of chemists natural liquid substances to the class of minerals do not carry.
Among the most precious jewelry, we used to hear mention of pearls.However, it can not be called mineral due to the fact that its structure is inhomogeneous.Its composition is present mineral calcite (calcium carbonate, crystalline material) and the organic substances, each of the constituent components has a chemical composition.
Currently, the term "mineral" and is often used as the name of a number of minerals, and as the name of a single crystal.For example, diamond is a unique property as its hardness, understand how the general properties of crystals of the mineral species.But when it comes to one of the world's largest diamond, "Cullinan", it is understood separately taken mineral.
