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1.  What is an element/atom, a mineral/crystal and a stone/rock? 

2.  What are the most common elements in the crust?  In the mantle?  In the  core?

3.  How do minerals form or grow?  Companion question:  what geologic environments create or produce minerals?

4.  What is the difference between a cation and an anion?  Name three common cations and two common anions, and give their typical charge or charges.

5.  What are the three main types of chemical bonds that hold atoms together?

6.  How are minerals arranged or classified?  In other words, what separates minerals into different groups?  Is there more than one way to classify/group minerals?

7.    What is the most common group of minerals?  How is the group defined  ("minerals that belong to this group have.............")?

8.   Who are the most common minerals of the Earth's crust? Of the upper mantle?

9.  What is a "physical property" of a mineral?  What are some of the common physical properties of minerals?

10.   Where do minerals show up in your daily life?