atomic number: the characteristic number of protons in an atom

atomic mass: the sum of the number of protons and neutrons

ion: an atom with a positive or negative charge

cation: positive

anion: negative

ionic bonding: ions, attracted by their opposite charges that chemically bond

covalent bonding: chemical bond formed between atoms that share electrons

compounds: chemically bonded combinations of elements

mineral a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid element or compound with a definite chemical composition and a definite crystal structure.

Crystalline: solids in which atoms are arranged in regular repeating patterns.

silicates: compounds containing silicon and oxygen, the largest group of minerals

feldspars: the most abundant group on minerals in the crust.

quartz: the best known silicate, the 2nd most prominent in the crust.

ferromagnesium: general term used to describe those silicates that contain iron or magnesium.

olivine: a simple ferromagnesium mineral that makes up a large portion of the earths mantel, gem quality pieces are called peridot

clays: are another group of silicate minerals. clays are sheet silicates, and fairly free to slide back and froth. weak bonds between sheets.

carbonates: all contain Carbon and oxygen in a ratio of 1 to 3. may contain other elements

the oceans contain a great deal of dissolved carbonate

precipitation of calcium carbonate is a major process by which marine rocks are formed.

limestone and marble are made mainly of carbonates and carbonates are an important ingredient in cement

sulfates: all contain sulfur and oxygen in the ratio 1 to 4 . have tetrahedral shape may contain other elements

calcium sulfate-- gypsum-- is the most important sulfate, used in plaster paris

electrolytes: dissolved minerals needed by the body to transfer electrical energy

sulfides: contain sulfur without oxygen

pyrite is a common and well known sulfide. also called fools gold. sulfides of copper, zinc, and other metals are valuable for their ores

oxides: minerals containing just one or more metal combined with oxygen

magnate is an oxide and is important for its magnetic properties, rocks rich in magnetic substances were known as load stones. iron oxides are responsible for the red hue on mars

native elements: minerals that consist of a single element

some of the most highly prized metals are found in this form, gold silver, ... also diamonds and graphite

rock cycle: concept in which rocks are not seen as permanent objects, but rather various points in a cycle in which rocks are continually destroyed and re created

3 major geologic environments: 1 igneous, 2 metamorphic, 3 sedimentary

magma: naturally occurring hot molten rock material

igneous rock:(fire) formed by the solidification and crystallization of magma, formed under the hottest conditions. speed of cooling affects type of crystals

plutinoc igneous rock: an igneous rock that had a lot of time to cool and formed large crystals under special conditions over thousands of years. granite is an example. made principally of quartz and feldspar.

lava: magma that flows out of the earth's surface

volcanic: term given to an igneous rock formed at or close to the earth's surface

volcanic glass: formed when lava cools almost instantly has no crystalline structure and is transparent. basalt, is an ex. containing ferromagnesuim and feldspar. this type composes most of the ocean floor.

prophyry: formed when hot melt cools slowly at depth, has coarse grains in a finer grained ground mass.

sedimentary rocks: formed at low temperatures from smaller prices of eroded rocks

sediments: loose unconsoildated accumulations of mineral or rock particles that have been transported by natural forces and deposited together.

lithification:(stone) set of processes by which sediments are bonded into sedimentary rock,

clastic sedimentary rocks (klatos "broken"):: formed from the products of the mechanical breakup of other rocks sandstone, shale.

chemical sedimentary rocks: are not from the mechanical breakup of minerals, instead they are formed from crystals formed by precipitation or growth from solution. limestone is a common example. rock salt, halite is another example

metamorphic: rock that former from another, preexisting rock that was subjected to extreme heat and pressure. temps required are not as high as magma temps. existing rocks warped and reformed by heat and pressure. pressure from sediments, or cooling magma but not as great as mantle.

contact metamorphism: process where rocks are heated and changed by magma rising to the surface

regional metamorphism: process where rocks are changed by the heat from large scale earth movements, earthquakes etc.

marble: metamorphisized limestone.

quartzite: a quartz rich metamorphic rock formed from sand stone

foliation: rocks in which subjection to extreme stress has caused them to form elongated platy crystals that line up parallel. ex. slate metamorphisized shale.