Question

Consider the following statements :
Characteristic feature of Minerals are.
(A) Minerals have a definite chemical composition
(B) Minerals are inorganic in nature
(C) The atoms that make up minerals are not arranged in an orderly pattern
(D) Minerals are the "Building Blocks" of rocks
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only.
• B. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• C. (A), (B), (C) and (D).
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only.

Hint:

A true mineral must be:
1. Naturally occurring
2. Inorganic (B)
3. Solid
4. Crystalline (orderly atomic pattern, which makes C false)
5. Definite chemical composition (A)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
By geological definition, a mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid substance that possesses a definite chemical composition and an orderly, systematic internal crystalline structure.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each characteristic statement regarding minerals:
- Statement (A) is correct: Each mineral has a definite, fixed chemical composition or a narrow, defined range of compositions represented by a chemical formula (for example, Quartz is always $SiO_2$).
- Statement (B) is correct: Minerals are inorganic solids formed by geological processes, not synthesized by living biological systems.
- Statement (C) is incorrect: By definition, minerals must have a highly ordered internal atomic structure (crystalline structure), where atoms are arranged in a repeating three-dimensional pattern.
Substances lacking this orderly pattern are amorphous and are classified as mineraloids (like opal or obsidian), not true minerals.
- Statement (D) is correct: Rocks are solid aggregates composed of one or more minerals.
Therefore, minerals serve as the fundamental "building blocks" of rocks.
Thus, the correct statements are (A), (B), and (D) only.
This corresponds to Option (B).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct characteristic features of minerals are (A), (B) and (D) only.