What are the different types of minerals and how are they formed?

Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a specific chemical composition and a characteristic internal crystal structure. There are over 4,000 known minerals, and they are typically classified into eight different types based on their chemical composition and crystal structure:

• Silicates
• Oxides
• Sulfides
• Sulfates
• Carbonates
• Halides
• Native elements
• Phosphates

Minerals are formed through a variety of processes, including crystallization from magma, precipitation from water, and the alteration of pre-existing minerals due to heat and pressure. Crystallization from magma is the primary process for the formation of igneous rocks, while precipitation from water is the primary process for the formation of sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks, on the other hand, are formed through the alteration of pre-existing rocks by heat and pressure.