2007-02-25 05:34:59 · 10 answers · asked by John P 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
First you must define what a mineral is. A mineral is a naturally occuring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties.
Elements are what are used in the make up of minerals. There are 8 elements that make up approximately 99% of the earth's crust. Of these Oxygen is by far the most abundant, and because of this, the earth's crust is made up almost entirely of oxygen compounds, especially silicates (SiO2 compounds).
Here is a list of the elements with their weight %:
O - 46.6
Si - 26.72
Al - 8.13
Fe - 5.00
Ca - 3.63
Na - 2.83
K - 2.59
Mg - 2.09
Feldspar is a major rock forming Silicate of the general formulas of KAlSi3O8, NaAlSi3O8, and CaAl2Si2O8.
Feldspars are the most wide spread of any mineral group and constitute 60% of the earth's crust.
2007-02-25 07:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by eiscubes 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
silicates and oxides
Quartz, feldspar, mica (these three are silicates), and calcite among others. There are several that are considered "among" the most common, but there doesn't seem to be one that is considered "the" most common of all the minerals on earth. This is according to the mineral related websites on the internet today.
From Tulane University:
"Because of the average composition of the crust, the most common minerals found in the crust are silicates and oxides. Of the silicates, the aluminosilicates, like the feldspars and clay minerals are the most common."
http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens211/mineral_chemistry.htm
2007-02-25 06:21:57 · answer #2 · answered by endpov 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Silicon dioxide present in rocks such as quartz and common sand is the most abundant mineral on earth.
2007-02-25 06:39:15 · answer #3 · answered by Flyboy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to go with Quartz or Feldspar.
Quartz seems to be everywhere.
ALTHOUGH, Feldspar seems to be pretty common too.
Potassium Feldspar, Plagioclase Feldspar, and Albite Feldspar.
Any lava that melts at a relatively low temperature.
2007-02-25 06:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by willeum 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Quartz SiO2 (slate is NOT a mineral)
2007-02-25 05:41:23 · answer #5 · answered by Trilobite uk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coca Cola !
2007-02-25 05:42:19 · answer #6 · answered by Mark L 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At the moment.. Minerva.
2007-02-25 05:44:05 · answer #7 · answered by richiesown 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
salt
2007-02-25 05:37:07 · answer #8 · answered by o0ojazzo0o 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try bauxite (aluminium ore)
2007-02-25 07:00:35 · answer #9 · answered by sconey-m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
slate
2007-02-25 05:37:56 · answer #10 · answered by pilgrim_conrad_3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋