Question

Give an example of a non-metallic mineral.

Answer 1

Hint : These are minerals which are just opposite of metallic minerals. The common minerals that we see like the salt, limestone, coal, salt etc. are all non-metallic minerals. They do not possess any property of metals. They are in much more use than that of the metallic minerals.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Non-metallic minerals are the minerals that do not contain metallic elements. Some of the examples of non-metallic minerals are gypsum, dolomite, salt, limestone, coal etc. They are used in various industries to produce a variety of products. These minerals don’t have a shiny surface and are not as hard as a metallic mineral. These non-metallic minerals are mostly found in sedimentary rocks. They are more abundant than metallic minerals. After energy raw materials, the non-metallic minerals are the second most significant form of mineral wealth.
Properties of non-metallic minerals:
They are neither ductile or malleable so it is very easy for these minerals to easily break into pieces when they are hit hard. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity. When they are melted down, they do not produce any new product. These minerals lack all the metallic characteristics, they are, however, essential for many industries. The nonmetallic minerals industry is best known for the production of cement, ceramics, glass, and lime products. Thus, the range of applications is quite broad. They are used in production of many products, from construction materials to sanitary ware to tableware and decorative products.

Note :
There are some rare non-metallic minerals that are known as gemstones. Diamond is also a non-metallic mineral. A characteristic of non-metallic minerals is that, in most cases, they maintain their form and physical properties through processing to final end use.