Final answer:
Minerals have a crystalline structure, which is an orderly and repeating arrangement of atoms. This arrangement determines the physical properties of minerals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Minerals have a crystalline structure, which means that their atoms are arranged in an orderly and repeating pattern within the mineral. This arrangement creates a three-dimensional lattice of atoms, resulting in the characteristic geometric shapes and flat surfaces of crystals.
The crystalline structure of minerals is determined by the size, shape, and charge of the atoms that make up the mineral. The arrangement of these atoms affects the physical properties of the mineral, including its hardness, cleavage, and fracture.