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A mineral is a naturally occurring, inanimate object with a highly specific chemical composition. Coral is the fossilized remnants of a living aquatic creature and thus does not qualify.
Coral is also not considered a mineral since it is organic. All real minerals are inorganic.
ANS: 3By definition #1: coral is not a mineral because it is not homogeneous, it does not have a definite chemical composition nor is it crystalline.
Dead carbonate coral skeletons can meet definition #3 for being a mineral since they are composed of inorganic matter. The skeletons are composed predominately of calcium carbonate. Not all carbon compounds are organic. Carbonates are one class of chemicals that are considered inorganic even though they contain carbon. Carbon dioxide gas is also considered to be inorganic.
===Good definition for "mineral" from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mineral===
1. A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness.
2. Any of various natural substances, as:
b. An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum.
c. A substance, such as stone, sand, salt, or coal, that is extracted or obtained from the ground or water and used in economic activities.
3. A substance that is neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic matter.
4. An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of humans, animals, and plants.
5. An ore.
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Is liquid mercury a mineral?
maybe
Why is water not considered a mineral?
Liquid water is not considered a mineral because it is not a solid. But solid water--ice, is considered a mineral because it is a solid with a crystal form.
Why is ice in a glacier considered to be a mineral but but what forms a glacier is not?
Ice forms a glacier and therefore it is considered a mineral.
What mineral makes up a thermometer?
the red part in a thermometer is mercury.
Which would NOT be considered a mineral?
quarts
Is the Mercury in a thermometer considered a mineral?
No, because the metal mercury which is a liquid at room temperature, does not occur naturally in the "native" state. It is usually found as Cinnabar (Mercuric oxide). It is an element.
Where does mercury in thermometers come from?
Mercury comes from several types of mineral deposits world wide, but the most common type of mineral is called cinnabar. Cinnabar is mercury chemically bound to sulfur, i.e. HgS. Heating this mineral causes the sulfur to combine with oxygen creating sulfur dioxide, SO2, as a gas. (The gas is now considered a pollutant.) What remains is the mercury. Although mercury is a relatively rare element, there are dozens of sites around the world where it is actively mined.
Is liquid mercury a mineral?
maybe
What is a hazardous mineral fiber found in building materials?
it is mercury because mercury is the most hazardous mineral fiber
What mineral is used to make thermometers?
mercury
What is a Mineral that consists of mercury and silver?
Amalgam
Is mercury a mineral?
Minerals containing mercury are solid salts of the metal (e.g. cinnabar, corderoite, livingstonite, vermilion, calomel). The liquid metal must be extracted from these ores by smelting, as it does not exist in the metallic form naturally.
Why is water not considered a mineral?
Liquid water is not considered a mineral because it is not a solid. But solid water--ice, is considered a mineral because it is a solid with a crystal form.
What is ore cinnabar?
Cinnabar is a mercury mineral - HgS.
Could quartz be considered a mineral?
Quartz is a mineral.
When is water a mineral?
Water as a solid, in the form of ice, is considered a mineral when it is naturally occurring. Ice in snow banks is considered a mineral but ice cubes you make in your freezer are not a mineral.
What mineral is liquid at room temperature and is used in thermometers?
Mercury
