Metals and Minerals vocabulary list with definitions

Metals and Minerals vocabulary list with definitions

Metals and Minerals: Minerals are solid, naturally occurring inorganic substances that can be found in the earth’s crust. Metals are elementary substances, such as gold, silver and copper that are crystalline when solid and naturally occurring in minerals.

List of Metals and Minerals Vocabulary

Metals and Minerals Vocabulary with Definitions and Examples

Aluminum

• Definition: A lightweight, silver-colored metal used in various applications.
• Example: Aluminum is commonly used in the manufacturing of aircraft.

Bauxite

• Definition: The primary ore from which aluminum is extracted.
• Example: Bauxite mining is a major industry in some countries.

Bismuth

• Definition: A brittle, crystalline metal with a white, silver-pink hue.
• Example: Bismuth is used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Brass

• Definition: An alloy of copper and zinc.
• Example: Brass is often used to make musical instruments.

Bronze

• Definition: An alloy of copper and tin.
• Example: Ancient sculptures were often made of bronze.

Cadmium

• Definition: A soft, bluish-white metal used in batteries and coatings.
• Example: Cadmium is a toxic metal that must be handled with care.

Calcium

• Definition: A soft, gray alkaline earth metal, essential for living organisms.
• Example: Calcium supplements are taken to strengthen bones.

Carbon

• Definition: A nonmetal element found in all organic life.
• Example: Carbon is the key element in organic chemistry.

Chromium

• Definition: A hard, steel-gray metal used in stainless steel and dyes.
• Example: Chromium plating is used to protect car parts from corrosion.

Cobalt

• Definition: A hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal used in alloys and batteries.
• Example: Cobalt is essential for the production of rechargeable batteries.

Copper

• Definition: A reddish-brown metal known for its high thermal and electrical conductivity.
• Example: Copper wires are used extensively in electrical wiring.

Dolomite

• Definition: A mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate.
• Example: Dolomite is used as a building stone and in the production of cement.

Fluorite

• Definition: A mineral composed of calcium fluoride, often fluorescent.
• Example: Fluorite is used in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid.

Galena

• Definition: A lead sulfide mineral, the primary ore of lead.
• Example: Galena is commonly found in hydrothermal veins.

Garnet

• Definition: A group of silicate minerals used as gemstones and abrasives.
• Example: Garnet sandpaper is used for fine sanding and polishing.

Gold

• Definition: A yellow precious metal used in jewelry and as an investment.
• Example: Gold is highly valued for its rarity and beauty.

Graphite

• Definition: A form of carbon used in pencils and as a lubricant.
• Example: Graphite is a good conductor of electricity and is used in batteries.

Gypsum

• Definition: A soft sulfate mineral used in plaster and fertilizer.
• Example: Gypsum board is used in construction for walls and ceilings.

Hematite

• Definition: An iron oxide mineral, a major source of iron.
• Example: Hematite is often used in jewelry due to its metallic luster.

Iron

• Definition: A strong, magnetic metal used as a material for construction and manufacturing.
• Example: Iron is a key component of steel.

Lead

• Definition: A heavy, soft, malleable metal with a bluish-gray color.
• Example: Lead is used in batteries and radiation shielding.

Lithium

• Definition: A soft, silver-white metal used in rechargeable batteries.
• Example: Lithium-ion batteries power many electronic devices.

Magnesium

• Definition: A light, silvery-white metal used in alloys and as a reducing agent.
• Example: Magnesium is used in the production of lightweight, strong materials.

Manganese

• Definition: A brittle, gray metal used in steel production and batteries.
• Example: Manganese improves the toughness and hardness of steel.

Mercury

• Definition: A heavy, silvery liquid metal used in thermometers and fluorescent lamps.
• Example: Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Molybdenum

• Definition: A silvery metal used to make steel alloys.
• Example: Molybdenum improves the strength and resistance of steel to heat.

Nickel

• Definition: A hard, silver-white metal used in alloys and electroplating.
• Example: Nickel is used to produce stainless steel.

Palladium

• Definition: A precious, silver-white metal used in electronics and jewelry.
• Example: Palladium is used in catalytic converters for cars.

Platinum

• Definition: A dense, malleable, precious metal used in jewelry and industrial applications.
• Example: Platinum is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation.

Pyrite

• Definition: A sulfide mineral also known as “fool’s gold.”
• Example: Pyrite can create sparks when struck against metal.

Quartz

• Definition: A hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen.
• Example: Quartz is used in the manufacture of glass and watches.

Radium

• Definition: A highly radioactive metal used in cancer treatment.
• Example: Radium was historically used in luminous paint.

Rhodium

• Definition: A rare, silver-white metal used in high-reflectance surfaces and catalytic converters.
• Example: Rhodium plating is often used to enhance the appearance of jewelry.

Selenium

• Definition: A nonmetal element used in electronics and glassmaking.
• Example: Selenium is essential in small amounts for human health.

Silicon

• Definition: A hard, brittle crystalline solid used in semiconductors and glass.
• Example: Silicon is the primary component of most electronic circuits.

Silver

• Definition: A shiny, white precious metal used in jewelry, coins, and electronics.
• Example: Silver is known for its high electrical conductivity.

Sodium

• Definition: A soft, silvery-white metal used in various industrial processes.
• Example: Sodium is essential for many biological processes.

Sphalerite

• Definition: A zinc sulfide mineral, the primary ore of zinc.
• Example: Sphalerite is found in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary rocks.

Steel

• Definition: An alloy of iron and carbon, known for its strength and durability.
• Example: Steel is widely used in construction and manufacturing.

Sulfur

• Definition: A yellow nonmetal used in fertilizers and chemicals.
• Example: Sulfur is a key ingredient in the production of sulfuric acid.

Talc

• Definition: A soft mineral used in talcum powder and as a lubricant.
• Example: Talc is the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale.

Tin

• Definition: A malleable, silvery-white metal used in alloys and coatings.
• Example: Tin is used to make bronze and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion.

Titanium

• Definition: A strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal used in aerospace and medical applications.
• Example: Titanium is commonly used in implants and prosthetics.

Tungsten

• Definition: A hard, dense metal with the highest melting point of all elements.
• Example: Tungsten is used in light bulb filaments and cutting tools.

Uranium

• Definition: A heavy, radioactive metal used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
• Example: Uranium is used to generate nuclear power.

Vanadium

• Definition: A hard, silvery-gray metal used to make strong steel alloys.
• Example: Vanadium is used to produce high-strength tools and construction materials.

Zinc

• Definition: A bluish-white metal used in galvanizing and alloys.
• Example: Zinc is used to protect steel from corrosion.

Bell Metal

• Definition: An alloy of copper and tin used for making bells.
• Example: Bell metal produces a resonant sound when struck.

Coal

• Definition: A combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used as a fuel source.
• Example: Coal is used in power plants to generate electricity.

Coke

• Definition: A high-carbon fuel made from coal.
• Example: Coke is used in the production of steel.

Diesel

• Definition: A type of fuel derived from crude oil used in diesel engines.
• Example: Diesel is commonly used in trucks and buses.

Emerald

• Definition: A precious green gemstone made of beryl.
• Example: Emeralds are often used in fine jewelry.

Gem

• Definition: A precious or semi-precious stone used in jewelry.
• Example: Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are all types of gems.

Iron Age

• Definition: A historical period following the Bronze Age characterized by the use of iron tools and weapons.
• Example: The Iron Age saw the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons.

Lime

• Definition: A white caustic alkaline substance consisting of calcium oxide, obtained by heating limestone.
• Example: Lime is used in building materials and to improve soil quality.

Mine

• Definition: An excavation in the earth for extracting minerals.
• Example: The mine produced large quantities of coal and iron ore.

Octane

• Definition: A hydrocarbon component of gasoline, used as a measure of fuel performance.
• Example: High-octane fuel is used in performance vehicles to prevent knocking.

Oil

• Definition: A viscous liquid derived from petroleum used as fuel and lubricant.
• Example: Crude oil is refined to produce gasoline and other products.

Petrol

• Definition: A light fuel oil used in internal combustion engines.
• Example: Petrol is commonly used to fuel cars.

Pearl

• Definition: A hard, lustrous spherical mass formed within the shell of a pearl oyster.
• Example: Pearls are valued as gemstones and used in jewelry.

Ruby

• Definition: A precious red gemstone made of corundum.
• Example: Rubies are prized for their vibrant red color and rarity.

Salt

• Definition: A white crystalline substance used for seasoning and preserving food.
• Example: Salt is essential for human health and is widely used in cooking.

Stone

• Definition: A hard, solid nonmetallic mineral matter.
• Example: Stone is commonly used in construction and sculpture.

Tar

• Definition: A dark, thick, sticky liquid produced by the destructive distillation of organic materials.
• Example: Tar is used in road construction and waterproofing.

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