Basic mineral chemistry

atom, ion, cation, anion, anionic group, isotope

coordination number, radius ratio

mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-valent

Coulomb’s Law

valence, charge, oxidation state

nesosilicates, sorosilicates, cyclosilicates, inosilicates (single chain, double chain), phyllosilicates, tectosilicates

bonding, ionic bond, covalent bond, metallic bond, van der Waals bond, hydrogen bond

dispersed (trace) elements

Lanthanide Contraction

coordination: linear, triangular, tetrahedral, octahedral, cubic

12-fold coordination: hexagonal closest packing (HCP) and cubic closest packing (CCP)

electronegativity

 

Give several examples of the isotopes of specific elements.

Why do anions and cations form bonds leading to a specific interatomic distance?

Why do anions and cations form various coordination numbers?

What factors affect the size of an atom in a crystal structure? 

What are some examples of large, small, and average sized ions? 

What are some generalities regarding sizes of atoms with respect to the periodic table? 

What are the structural differences among the various types of silicates (nesosilicates, tectosilicates, etc.)

Explain the basic differences among the various types of bonds, and how strong and common they are

Without going into specific mechanisms, explain radioactivity.

What is the binding energy of the nucleus, how do we know there is such a thing, and generally how does it vary with atomic weight? 

How stable are various combinations of even and odd numbers of neutrons and protons?

How does an electron volt compare to a joule or calorie?

Understand the concept that the coordination number depends upon the radius ratio, and be able to sketch linear through cubic coordination.  What are the possible coordination numbers, and which ones are rare or common in minerals?

Be able to describe and sketch the basic structure of the silicates (except tectosilicates).