JLKP+4.2

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 * Section 4.2- How Minerals Form** (back to homepage)

**Vocabulary**

 * vein**-a narrow channel or slab of mineral that is much different from the surrounding rock
 * solution**- a mixture in which one substance dissolves in another

**Outline**
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 * **Processes That Form Minerals**
 * minerals can form in two ways
 * the two ways are: crystallization of melted materials or materials dissolved in water
 * crystallization is what makes a crystal
 * **Minerals From Magma**
 * some minerals form when magma cools down inside the Earth's crust
 * also forms when lava hardens on the surface of the crust
 * when it cools down, it forms a crystal
 * **Minerals From Hot Water Solutions**
 * elements that form crystals sometimes get dissolved in hot water
 * they form solutions
 * elements and compounds leave the solution and form crystals when the heated solution cools down
 * veins are formed when pure metals crystallize underground from heated solutions
 * many minerals form along the mid-ocean ridge
 * **Minerals Formed by Evaporation**
 * one way to form crystals (by evaporation) is by mixing salt and water together and then letting it evaporate
 * they then form crystals that are in the shape of squares
 * *Where Minerals are Found*
 * Sierra Nevada has lots of gold

Diagram
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