Mineralogy is the study focused on the properties of both single minerals and collections of minerals. A mineral is a naturally formed, uniform solid that has a specific chemical makeup and an intricately organized atomic framework. By definition, any substance classified as a mineral must not be in a liquid or gaseous state.
A mineral has a specific chemical makeup, which implies that it consistently contains the same proportion of elements. This stable composition can be represented by a chemical formula. In a mineral, the atoms are organized in a very orderly manner, known as a crystal lattice structure.
Physical mineralogy focuses on examining the physical characteristics of minerals, including their cohesion, cleavage, elasticity, color, luster, streak, hardness, and specific gravity. At the same time, environmental mineralogy describes the diverse and intricate circumstances surrounding the formation of minerals. It also looks at the potential risks linked to certain minerals or elements and their industrial uses, if any exist.
Since prehistoric times, minerals have played a crucial role in human society. Primitive humans made tools from minerals like quartz. For centuries, different types of clay have been utilized to create pottery. For millions of years, the mineral halite, commonly referred to as sodium chloride, has played a crucial role in food preservation. Hundreds of years ago, the extraction of valuable minerals from ores became widely practiced and continues to be used today.
There are different fields in mineralogy. Mineralogists can specialize in precise areas of study, ranging from the arrangement of crystals to the categorization and the chemical makeup of minerals. For instance, one specialized branch known as crystallography examines exactly where these crystals should be found within their lattice-like structures.
A specific mineral specimen consists of recurring crystalline structures. Every crystal forming the mineral shares an identical shape. The physical characteristics of a mineral are influenced by the crystal's form and the density of atom packing within it. Crystals that develop in ample, unobstructed areas tend to create almost flawless structures, while those that develop in confined spaces tend to show defects in their shapes.
Crystal chemistry is another branch of mineralogy, and it revolves around the way different minerals' chemical composition affects their crystalline structure. Minerals have bonds from which their atoms have been made, which further determines their crystal structures and the chemical and physical properties possessed by such matter. Minerals contain three distinct varieties of chemical bonds: ionic, covalent, and metallic.
Minerals add to the basis of the lifestyle in the United States. They stimulate the development of fresh technologies, support American manufacturing, and are crucial for national security. Minerals play essential roles in critical medical equipment, the foundational structures of the US, advanced defense systems, and the intricate networks of computers and communication that link the US globally.
Today, technological advancements rely on a growing number of minerals. For instance, computer chips were once manufactured using a range of 12 minerals. Currently, up to 60 different minerals or their elemental components are essential in creating advanced integrated circuits, which are vital for this technology's high speed and capacity.
Also, mineralogy has been useful in the creation of jobs in the US. Minerals mining sustains the employment of over 1.2 million workers in the United States. 419,000 individuals hold direct employment, while 734,000 people are employed indirectly.
