Video Transcript
To what mineral group does pyroxene
belong? (A) Oxides, (B) sulfides, (C)
sulfates, (D) silicates, (E) carbonates.
Minerals are grouped together based
on their chemical composition. Minerals of the oxide group contain
one or more metallic elements plus the element oxygen. Examples of oxides include
periclase and hematite. Minerals of the sulfide group
contain one or more metallic elements plus the element sulfur. Examples of sulfides include
sphalerite and pyrite.
Minerals of the sulfate group
contain one or more metallic elements plus the elements sulfur and oxygen. Examples of sulfates include barite
and gypsum. Minerals of the silicate group
typically contain one or more metallic elements plus the elements silicon and
oxygen. Examples of silicates include
quartz and lizardite. Minerals of the carbonate group
contain one or more metallic elements plus the elements carbon and oxygen. Examples of carbonates include
calcite and cerussite.
Pyroxene contains one or more
metallic elements, silicon, and oxygen. These are the components of a
silicate. Therefore, the mineral group to
which pyroxene belongs is answer choice (D), silicates.
