2006-06-13 22:35:22 · 8 answers · asked by sunsworth1975 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Ice is not often thought of as a mineral, but it is! Most minerologists define minerals as having an homogenous chemical composition, with an organized structure and of a natural inorganic origin. Ice fits all these characteristics; it has an homogenous formula, H2O, it has an organized structure, with hexagonal symmetry, it is formed naturally as snow, etc. and it is formed inorganically.
Only natural ice counts as a mineral such as snow, natural lake or river ice, glacieral ice and permafrost. Liquid water does not get the same consideration, as to being a mineral, by most minerologists because it lacks the crystalline structure of ice. However native mercury is routinely treated as a mineral.
Although no known specimens of ice are sold as mineral specimens, there are scientists that study ice and its crystals for some very important reasons. Questions such as how ice crystals form in clouds is important to weather forecasters and climatologists. Glaciologists study the behavior of ice crystals under extreme pressure and how they begin to flow. Physists are concerned with ice crystals on other planets where their presence there is not taken for granted.
2006-06-13 22:56:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
snow is a mineral that affects people everyday in one way or another. It is considered a mineral because it is a natural, inorganic, homogeneous solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.
There are many different types of ice. Some are huge masses that cover the ground for many miles and others are small chunks that fall from the sky. Individual crystals form at below freezing temperatures and grow together.
Ice and weather are strongly related in most climates. The colder the climate and the more precipitation it has, the more ice will be prevalent. Snowstorms and hailstones can be a hazard and should be approached with caution.
2006-06-13 22:41:36 · answer #2 · answered by rashmi g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Snow is frozen water. Minerals are metals. Some metals might be found in snow in small quantities, but snow itself is not a mineral.
2006-06-13 22:39:23 · answer #3 · answered by Scozbo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Snow A Mineral
2017-02-20 18:31:21 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope... water - H2O... no metal no mineral... snow in purest form is not a mineral
2006-06-14 03:32:59 · answer #5 · answered by rasputin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is water at the end so, yes, it's a mineral
2006-06-13 22:38:43 · answer #6 · answered by William W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its water in a solid physical state, so not mineral which would contain elements other than just water.
2006-06-14 02:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by JF 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it's certainly not animal or vegetable
2006-06-13 22:44:16 · answer #8 · answered by mesun1408 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋