Minerals are all around us, both on top of and beneath the ground. So, what are these minerals? Simply put, minerals are rocks, which are formed by two or more minerals. Minerals contain the nutrients that our bodies need and they are all around us. We usually do not even realize what kind of role they play in our lives. Let’s look at some fun and interesting facts about these minerals. Let’s get started.
Fact 1: There are 4,000 types of minerals, with only 30 being found in the top layer of the earth, which is called the crust.
Fact 2: The most common mineral found on earth is quartz. Quartz is a hard material that looks like crystal and it is clear, with rainbow-like colors. Quartz is commonly used in jewelry making and it looks like more expensive gems. Diamonds and other precious gems are made of minerals.
Fact 3: When there are two or more minerals that join together, they become a rock. Rock hounds are people who go to the mountains to look for geodes, which are round rocks that come in all sizes and they are very ugly on the outside, but when you crack it open, you can find beautiful crystal formations, which are very sought after by Rockhounds. They can sell some of them for a great price. Remember that crystals are also made up of minerals.
Fact 4: Minerals are always solid and they have a glassy structure that is see-through.
Facts 5: If you want to see a mineral crystal, you will have to look at it under a microscope, as it is extremely small.
Facts 6: 40 mineral materials are in a telephone, with a television having 35 different minerals in its make-up, and 15 different minerals in a car.
Fact 7: Minerals are used to make gravel, cement and asphalt, which are all used to build roads, driveways and sidewalks. Minerals are also used to make toothpaste and appliance used in our homes every day.
Fact 8: Silica sand and limestone, both minerals, are used to make glass for windows in houses and cars. These minerals also make the glasses that we drink from.
Fact 9: Silver, a mineral, is used in the purification of the water that we drink, as it kills bacteria that can make us sick.
Fact 10: Sixteen different minerals are those that humans need in their diets to remain healthy. Some of the minerals we use every day include salt, with which we flavor our food, iodine, iron and zinc. Our bodies need small amounts of these minerals to stay healthy.
Fact 10: Fireworks that we watch on the fourth of July are colorful and beautiful. Phosphates, which are another form of minerals, is the ingredient that causes these beautiful colors that we enjoy. For healthy bone growth, our bodies need calcium and phosphorus, and the body’s red blood cells need iron.
