Minerals and the crystalline state

Rocks are made of minerals and, as minerals are natural crystals, the geological world is mostly a crystalline world. This free course, Minerals and the crystalline state, introduces the study of minerals and crystal structures, using online text and interactive activities, including questions and answers, video clips, slidecasts and a Digital Kit.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Introducing crystals
• 1 Introducing crystals
• 2 States of matter
• 2 States of matter
• 3 Physical properties of minerals in hand specimen
• 3 Physical properties of minerals in hand specimen
• 3.1 Crystal shape
• 3.2 Colour
• 3.3 Lustre
• 3.4 Cleavage
• 3.5 Density
• 3.6 Hardness
• 4 The atomic structure of crystals
• 4 The atomic structure of crystals
• 4.1 Metallic structures and bonding
• 4.2 Ionic structures and bonding
• 4.3 Covalent structures and bonding
• 5 Crystal defects and twinning
• 5 Crystal defects and twinning
• 6 Crystal symmetry and shape
• 6 Crystal symmetry and shape
• 6.1 Crystal symmetry
• 6.2 Crystal lattices and unit cells
• 6.3 Crystal systems
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Acknowledgements