Final answer:
A mineral must be naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, have a definite chemical composition, and a characteristic crystalline structure to be classified as a mineral.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mineral must have the following characteristics to be classified as a mineral:
- Naturally Occurring: Minerals occur naturally in the Earth's crust and are not man-made.
- Inorganic: Minerals are not composed of complex carbon molecules that are characteristic of life.
- Solid State: Minerals are typically solid and not in the form of vapor or liquid.
- Definite Chemical Composition: Minerals have a specific chemical formula that is consistent and can be identified.
- Characteristic Crystalline Structure: Minerals have an orderly arrangement of atoms, resulting in a unique crystalline structure.