Linkie to the source of that ^ ?
Mineralogy is the branch of geology that studies the composition, structure, occurrence and characteristics of minerals.
Definition of a Mineral
1. A mineral is naturally occurring and therefore generally found in nature.
2. A mineral forms solid crystals of definite shape under appropriate conditions.
3. A mineral is generally inorganic even though some may contain carbon.
4. A mineral has a specific chemical composition.
The Atomic Structure of Matter
The Structure of Atoms
https://uh.edu/~geos6g/1330/min.html
What is a Mineral: Definition, Formation, Structure & Classification
What are the Mandatory Characteristics for Something to be Labeled Mineral?
Crystalline internal structure: Minerals have a unique arrangement of molecules, ions, or atoms, typically in a repeating pattern. This pattern forms a crystal lattice. The crystal structure of minerals affects certain physical properties of minerals including specific gravity, cleavage, and hardness.
https://www.pheasantenergy.com/what...Minerals have,gravity, cleavage, and hardness.
The tricky bits... atoms, molecules and the rest
There are around four thousand different minerals in the world. They are all naturally occurring inorganic solids. Each mineral is defined by its particular chemical composition and crystal structure. To explain what a mineral is properly, we have to introduce you to a bit of chemistry.
https://learningzone.oumnh.ox.ac.uk...e atoms in a mineral,are stacked up inside it.
The "orderly internal structure of minerals" refers to the systematic, repeating arrangement of atoms within a mineral, forming a crystal lattice where atoms are precisely positioned relative to one another, which is the defining characteristic of a crystalline substance and directly influences the mineral's physical properties like cleavage and hardness; essentially, it's the way atoms are packed together in a consistent pattern within the mineral.
Key points about the orderly internal structure of minerals:
Crystal lattice:
The repeating pattern of atoms within a mineral is called a crystal lattice, which is the fundamental unit of a crystal structure.
Unit cell:
The smallest repeating unit of a crystal lattice, representing the basic building block of the crystal structure.
Impact on physical properties:
The arrangement of atoms within the lattice determines various physical properties of a mineral like its cleavage, hardness, and crystal form.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ord...CDkxOTBqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8