HW#7: Matter & Minerals
Instructions: Answer the questions below using one to five sentences.
1. Based on the definition of mineral, which of the following — gold, liquid water, synthetic diamonds, ice, and wood — are not classified as minerals?
2. Define the term rock. How do rocks differ from minerals?
3. What is the significance of valence electrons?
4. What is the difference between an atom and an ion?
5. How does an atom become a positive ion? A negative ion?
6. Briefly distinguish between ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding and discuss the role that electrons play in each.