First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist.

The most important elements that constitute the Earth’s crust are oxygen and silicon. The physical properties of minerals that help identify them are structure, thickness, chemical composition, and weight. The uncovered portions of the continental crust are thicker than oceanic crust, which is loaded with iron and other minerals. However, the continental crust is formed by layers and is less dense.

The three physical properties that may vary are color, density, or specific gravity, and hardness.

Coming first to color, the minerals may differ in color due to diversities in chemical constituents. These differences in chemical compositions provide different hues and colors to minerals.

Regarding density, it is seen that minerals that form at high pressures deep within Earth’s crust are generally denser than minerals that form at lower levels depths. Minerals having darker hues are generally heavier than those with lighter hues.

Finally, with regard to hardness in minerals, it is the degree of difficulty in scratching the outer surface of a mineral. Local elements are typically soft, although iron and platinum are comparatively hard. The more difficult it is to scratch the outer surface of the mineral, the more toughness and hardness it could be deemed to possess.

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Academic.Tips. (2022) 'First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist'. 15 December.

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Academic.Tips. (2022, December 15). First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist. https://academic.tips/question/first-identify-the-most-important-elements-that-compose-earths-continental-crust-second-describe-what-physical-properties-of-minerals-provide-a-reliable-means-to-identify-common-minerals/

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Academic.Tips. 2022. "First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist." December 15, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/first-identify-the-most-important-elements-that-compose-earths-continental-crust-second-describe-what-physical-properties-of-minerals-provide-a-reliable-means-to-identify-common-minerals/.

1. Academic.Tips. "First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist." December 15, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/first-identify-the-most-important-elements-that-compose-earths-continental-crust-second-describe-what-physical-properties-of-minerals-provide-a-reliable-means-to-identify-common-minerals/.


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Academic.Tips. "First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist." December 15, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/first-identify-the-most-important-elements-that-compose-earths-continental-crust-second-describe-what-physical-properties-of-minerals-provide-a-reliable-means-to-identify-common-minerals/.

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"First, identify the most important elements that compose Earth’s continental crust. Second, describe what physical properties of minerals provide a reliable means to identify common minerals, discussing how certain properties can exhibit a range of characteristics or values, thus making them less useful for identification purposes. Third, choose three physical properties that might vary considerably between samples of the same minerals and explain why such variability might exist." Academic.Tips, 15 Dec. 2022, academic.tips/question/first-identify-the-most-important-elements-that-compose-earths-continental-crust-second-describe-what-physical-properties-of-minerals-provide-a-reliable-means-to-identify-common-minerals/.

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