MINERAL PROPERTIES and identification procedures
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
Three important electrical properties are applicable to minerals: Conduction,
Pyroelectricity, and Piezoelectricity.
Conduction
Conduction in mineral terms is the ability
of a mineral to conduct electricity.
Only a very small number of minerals are good conductors; they are the metallic elements and the mineral graphite. These conductors can be
placed between a wire carrying electricity, and the electricity will pass through it.
Conduction is an important property that can distinguish true metals from metallic looking sulfides and oxides.
Pyroelectricity
Pyroelectricity is where a mineral develops
electrical charges when exposed to temperature changes. Some minerals develop an
electrical charge when heated, others when cooled.
Piezoelectricity
Piezoelectricity is where a mineral
develops electrical charges when put under stress. Piezoelectric minerals will develop
charges when rubbed or struck repeatedly.
Conduction is very useful in distinguishing true metals,
but pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity are not practical testing methods for normal
mineral collectors.
Copyright ©
1997 - 1999 Hershel Friedman, all rights reserved
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