Ice is considered a mineral because?

• A. It is naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure.
• B. It is always found as a liquid in nature.
• C. It is only found in polar ice caps.
• D. It is a man-made material only.

Answer: (A)

Ice is a mineral because it fits the essential definition: it forms naturally, is inorganic, exists as a solid, has a definite chemical composition, and possesses a crystalline structure. When water freezes in nature, it becomes solid and forms a regular, repeating arrangement of molecules—the crystal lattice of ice. Its chemical formula is fixed at H2O, and this solid, orderly form is what gives ice its crystal structure. This stands in contrast to the other ideas: ice can be found in solid form in many environments, not just polar regions, it is not created by human manufacture, and it isn’t always a liquid in nature.