Chapter 5: Problem 3

Salt is a mineral, but the plastic making up an inexpensive pen is not. Why not? (A)

Short Answer

Expert verified

Salt is a mineral because it is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystalline structure. On the other hand, plastic is not considered a mineral because it is a man-made, organic material with varying compositions and no defined crystalline structure. (A)

Step by step solution

Define minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and crystalline structure.

Define plastic

Plastic, on the other hand, is a synthetic material made from various organic polymers (carbon-based molecules) and can be molded or shaped into different forms.

Compare properties of minerals and plastics

Minerals and plastics differ in several key properties: - Minerals are naturally occurring, whereas plastics are man-made. - Minerals are inorganic, while plastics are composed of organic polymers. - Minerals have a specific chemical composition and crystalline structure, whereas plastics can have varying compositions and lack a well-defined crystalline structure.

Conclude why salt is a mineral and plastic is not

Based on the differences in properties, we can conclude that salt is considered a mineral because it is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystalline structure. In contrast, plastic is not considered a mineral because it is a man-made, organic material with varying compositions and no defined crystalline structure. Answer: (A)

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Salt is a mineral, but the plastic making up an inexpensive pen is not. Why not? (A)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define minerals

Define plastic

Compare properties of minerals and plastics

Conclude why salt is a mineral and plastic is not

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