GEOL 1003 Final: GEOL 1003 Exam 1 Chapters 2-4
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**important minerals: quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, pyrite, hematite, an element consists of a unique kind of atom: Every chemical element has certain number of protons. The number of protons= element"s atomic number. Neutral atom= same number of protons and electrons. Innermost electron shell holds a max of 2 electrons. Second and third shells hold a max of 8 electrons: isotopes: Isotopes can be radioactive (nuclei decay at a constant average rate to from other isotopes, daughter isotopes. Stable isotopes shed light of aspects of earth"s history including changes in the composition of earth"s atmosphere. Oxygen has 3 stable isotopes: chemical reactions: For a mineral to exist, elements must combine by way of a chemical reaction. (example halite: nacl) A molecule is the basic unit of a chemical compound: an atom is the basic unit of a chemical compound. Chemical bonds are produced between atoms during a chemical reaction.
