Question 12
- Define minerals.
- State four uses of minerals.
- Classify the following minerals into the classes indicated in the table below: coal, tar sand, iron ore, dolomite, galena, limestone, talc, sphalerite, gypsum and petroleum.
Observation
The expected answers were:
(a) A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic homogeneous solid substance having a definite chemical composition.
(b)
- Construction materials e.g. buildings, roads, bridges e.t.c
- Used in electronics. Silicon, copper, mica etc.
- Used in space technology e.g. tantalite, aluminum, bauxite e.t.c
- As agricultural commodity e.g. phosphate, potash, nitrate e.t.c
- Manufacturing of industrial equipment e.g. drill bits
- Used in chemical industry e.g. petrochemicacl industry e.g. tale
(c)
Metallic Mineral |
Industrial Mineral |
Fuel Mineral |
Iron ore Dolomite Coal |