2006-10-11 08:51:34 · 6 answers · asked by Chris Y 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
No. the definition of mineral is restrictive to solids naturally occurring with crystalline structure.
Nevertheless, the term mineral is widely used (or miss used) by the rest of the society (including biologists) and that's what causes confusion. The term "mineral resources" is widely used by economist and journalist and it usually includes substances that are not minerals like coal, etc.
Another common miss-use is by biologist when they talk about nutrients. They refer to minerals meaning any compound that contain chemicals that animals and plants need to survive. Again including substances that are not minerals.
So, in scientific terms, in the terms defined by mineralogists. They are absolutely no minerals.
There still some debate about what to consider a mineral or not, since some minerals like calcite or aragonite can be produced inorganically and organically and it makes no sense to not to call a mineral or not just a substance according to their origin. The clear ground is to leave out only organic compound like wood out, and all the thousands of man-made compounds around today out, that are never found in nature.
2006-10-11 14:49:40 · answer #1 · answered by Scientist13905 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TO be classified as a mineral it most be natural occuring, inorganic, and have a crystalline structure. Oil comes from organic material so no, it is not a mineral. Gases contain elements, not minerals and also, gases do not have a crystalline structure.
2006-10-11 15:55:06 · answer #2 · answered by geoman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gas and oil are organic in origin ... and they are not soild .. To be classified as a "true" mineral, a substance must be a solid and have a crystal structure. It must also be an inorganic, naturally-occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition.
2006-10-11 16:13:11 · answer #3 · answered by Geo06 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oil and gas are thought of as minerals, but true minerals have crystalline structure....BUT (are you listening Geoman?) oil and gas if chilled cold enough do take a crystalline structure as petroleum ices. Interesting concept..
2006-10-11 20:51:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely not. Geoman is correct.
2006-10-11 16:10:02 · answer #5 · answered by Sheila 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES---LOOK @ PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS!!!!
------GOOD--LUCK
2006-10-11 15:55:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋