Question

What determines the properties of a mineral?

Answer 1

The chemical composition of a mineral determines its properties.

A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid substance that has a definite chemical composition and characteristic physical properties. The definite chemical composition and internal atomic structure of a mineral directly determines its properties and outward appearance which can be used to identify the mineral. Minerals are composed of one or more elements. For example the mineral quartz has the elements silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) as its only constituents.

Answer 2

In order for a substance to be classed as a mineral it must be naturally occurring, solid and inorganic. Additionally, it must have a clearly defined structure and chemical composition.

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