The terms Rocks and Minerals are used together, and one might think there is not much difference between them. But that is not true. Minerals are naturally occurring substances that are formed by geological processes.
Rocks are also naturally occurring substances that comprise minerals plus some other substances. A mineral is a part of a rock, but it is not a rock. The major difference between a rock and a mineral is that it is homogeneous, but the rock is not.
Comparison Between Rock And Minerals
| Parameter | Rocks | Minerals |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Rock is a naturally occurring substance made up of different minerals. | Minerals are naturally occurring substances having |
| Chemical Structures | Rocks do not have a definite chemical structure. | Minerals do have a definite chemical structure. |
| Shape | Rocks do not have a proper shape. | Minerals do have a proper shape. |
| Homogenous/ Non – Homogenous. | Rocks are homogenous in nature. | Minerals are non – homogenous in nature. |
| Nutritional Value | Rocks do not provide us any nutritional value. | Minerals do provide us with nutritional values. |
Major Differences Between Rock And Mineral:
What Exactly Is a Rock?
A rock is a naturally occurring non- homogeneous substance made up of many kinds of minerals. Rocks do not have any shape or uniform structure.
There are mainly three kinds of rocks: metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks, and igneous rocks. Rocks, unlike Minerals, do not serve any nutritional value to us.
What Exactly Is a Mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring homogenous substance having a uniform structure and a definite shape. Different types of minerals are Oxides, Sulphates, Carbonates, Silicates, Sulphides, etc.
Contrast Between Rocks And Minerals
Origin of The Word
- Rocks –
- Minerals – The word Mineral originated from the Medieval Latin word “Minera,” meaning “Ore.”
Meaning
- Rocks – A rock is a mixture of various minerals that are formed naturally.
- Minerals – A mineral is a substance that has a definite shape, color, and structure.
Occurrence
- Rocks – Rocks are naturally occurring.
- Minerals – Minerals are also naturally occurring.
Chemical Structure
- Rocks – Rocks do not have a definite chemical structure.
- Minerals – Minerals have a definite chemical structure.
Homogenous/ Non–homogenous
- Rocks – Rocks are non–homogenous in nature.
- Minerals – Minerals are homogenous in nature.
Shape
- Rocks – Rocks do not have a definite shape.
- Minerals – Minerals do have a definite shape.
Color
- Rocks – Rocks do not have a particular color.
- Minerals – Minerals have a particular color.
Conclusion
The terms Rocks and Minerals are used together, but most people do not know the difference between Rocks and Minerals. A Mineral is a homogenous substance. It has a specific chemical structure, color, and shape.
Rocks, on the other hand, are formed by a number of minerals. Rocks do not have a specific chemical structure, shape, or color. A mineral is a part of a Rock, and a Rock is a group of minerals.
One another important difference between these two is, Rocks do not have any nutritional value, but Minerals do.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1 What are the main types of Rocks?
Mainly, Rocks are of three types, i.e., Sedimentary Rocks, Igneous Rocks, and Metamorphic rocks.
Q2 Why do Rocks not have a definite shape?
The reason Rocks do not have a definite shape is that a rock is made up of many minerals. And each mineral has its own shape and structure.
Every Rock has different amounts and types of minerals present in it; thus, Rocks are of different shapes.
Q3 What is the major difference between Rock and Minerals?
The major differences between Rocks and Minerals are –
A Rock is a mixture of different minerals, whereas a Mineral is a part of a Rock.
Rock does not have a definite shape, but a Mineral does.
Rocks do not have a particular composition, but Minerals do.
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