CHAPTER 6 : LAND & ITS

RESOURCES
6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust
6.2 : Reactions of Metals with Nonmetals
6.3 : Silicon Compounds
6.4 : Calcium Compounds
6.5 : Natural Fuel Resources
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust

What are Minerals ?
Natural elements
or compounds
present in the
Earths Crust.
They are found as
free elements as
they are inactive
elements which do
not combine with
other elements.
Including :

Gold, silver,
platinum,
antimony, arsenic,
iron (in meteorites),
copper and mercury
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust

The Properties of Some Minerals
Metal Oxides
Hard
Insoluble in water (except oxides of potassium,
sodium, calcium, magnesium)
Dissolves in water to form alkaline solutions eg
potassium hydroxide solution / sodium
hydroxide solution
Do not decompose on heating (except mercury
oxide & silver oxide)
heat

Mercury oxides Mercury + Oxygen

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust

The Properties of Some Minerals
Metal Oxides
If a metal is less active than carbon, its oxide
will decompose when heated with carbon
more active carbon will pull the oxygen
away from the metal
This is used to smelt tin ore / iron ore to
obtain pure tin & iron

Metal
Carbon
heat
Metal
+ Carbon
+ dioxide

oxide
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust

The Properties of Some Minerals
Metal Carbonates
Most are hard that cannot be scratched with a
steel knife
Insoluble in water (except potassium
carbonate/ sodium carbonate)
Decompose on strong heating to release carbon
dioxide (except potassium carbonate/ sodium
carbonate)
Potassium and sodium are very active elements
they hold on to carbonates very strongly
heat

Metal
Carbon
Metal carbonates oxide
+ dioxide
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust

The Properties of Some Minerals
Metal sulphides
Most are hard that
Insoluble in water (except potassium sulphide/
sodium sulphide)
Decompose on heating to release sulphur
dioxide (except potassium sulphide/ sodium
sulphide)
Sulphur dioxide is an acidic pungent gas. It turns
purple acidified potassium manganate (VII) to
colourless
heat

Metal
Sulphur
Metal sulphides oxide
+ + dioxide
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

6.1 : Minerals in the Earths Crust

Potassium
Activity
Sodium
Series
Calcium
of
Magnesium
Metals
Aluminium
CARBON
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
Copper
Mercury
Silver
Gold
PlaEnum

LESS
ACTIVE

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh