GEOL 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Extrusive Rock, Silicate Minerals, Calcite
Document Summary
Atoms are the smallest units of element. Most common elements located in earth"s crust. Ca, al, fe, mg: a few % each. The major subatomic particles that control chemical characteristics are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atoms of each element have a unique number of protons (atomic number) Atoms can be bound together through electron behavior. Neutrons: in nucleus, no charge ~ same mass as protons. Number of neutrons can change for each element, atomic weight changes. Some are stable, others decay and are radioactive. Radioactive decay creates heat in the earth. Also used in determining age of rocks. Most elements on earth are in compounds and mixtures: Compounds: atoms bound together in molecules, unique properties. Mixtures: elements and molecules together but not bound: Natural, solid compounds with a specific composition and crystal shape. Most minerals contain silica, a compound of silicon and oxygen. Ex: quartz - silicon and oxygen (sio2) Silicate minerals formed by weathering of other silicate minerals.
