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MINERAL
(Noun): A solid
homogeneous
inorganic
substance formed through geological processes occurring naturally in
the earth and which is neither vegetable nor
animal.
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MINERAL
(Adjective): of or containing or derived from minerals. |
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A mineral is a compound
- usually obtained from the earth - having a definite
chemical composition that
vary form pure element (such as
gold or sulphur) to simple (such as
salts) or very complex compounds (such
as silicates) Rocks , stones,
sand are formed of one or more
minerals. Over 2,000 types of minerals have been
classified.
The study of minerals is called mineralogy. The term "mineral"
encompasses not only the material's chemical composition but also the
mineral structures. Most mineralogists include the requirements that a
mineral have inorganic origin and internal crystalline structure. In
accord with the latter requirement, an
amorphous compound such as opal
would be considered to be mineraloid.
Ground water dissolves these
rock substances, and the dissolved minerals
are present in tap water. Depending on the kinds of rocks the water
comes in contact with, the minerals dissolved in the water may be just
of a small amount of or they may be very concentrated.
The definition of mineral might also encompass (in a broad sense) some
organic derivative, such as coal or
petroleum. .
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