Question

Based on the definition of a mineral, which of the following is not a mineral; gold, water, synthetic diamonds, ice and wood?

Answer 1

Based on the definition of a mineral, water and wood are not considered minerals.

Step-by-step explanation:

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Let's evaluate each option:

1. Gold: Gold meets the definition of a mineral. It is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition (chemical symbol Au) and a crystalline structure.

2. Water: Water does not meet the definition of a mineral. While water is a naturally occurring substance, it is not a solid and lacks a crystalline structure. Additionally, water is a compound consisting of two elements, hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).

3. Synthetic diamonds: Synthetic diamonds do meet the definition of a mineral. They are created in a laboratory but still have a specific chemical composition (pure carbon) and a crystalline structure.

4. Ice: Ice meets the definition of a mineral. It is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition (H2O) and a crystalline structure.

5. Wood: Wood does not meet the definition of a mineral. It is an organic material derived from plants and is composed of complex organic compounds, primarily cellulose. Unlike minerals, wood is not a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a crystalline structure.

In summary, water and wood are not considered minerals based on the definition, while gold, synthetic diamonds, and ice meet the criteria to be classified as minerals.

Answer 2

Among the listed items, wood is not a mineral because it is organic and does not meet the criteria of being an inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a characteristic crystalline structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the definition of a mineral, which is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a characteristic crystalline structure, wood is not considered a mineral.

The options provided include gold, which is a mineral; water, which is not a mineral when in liquid form, but as ice, it is a mineral when it occurs naturally; synthetic diamonds, which are not minerals because they are not naturally occurring; and wood, which is organic and therefore not a mineral. So, among the listed items, wood is the substance that does not meet the criteria to be classified as a mineral.