Rocks and minerals are fundamental components of the Earth, but they are distinct entities with different characteristics.
Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. They are the building blocks of rocks. For example, quartz, feldspar, and mica are all examples of minerals. Each mineral has unique properties such as hardness, luster, and color, which can help in identifying them.
Rocks, on the other hand, are composed of one or more minerals. They can be made up of microscopic crystals or large, visible chunks of minerals. There are three main types of rocks: igneous (formed from cooled magma), sedimentary (formed from the accumulation of mineral and organic particles), and metamorphic (formed from the transformation of existing rocks under heat and pressure).
In summary, the main difference is that minerals are the basic constituents of rocks. A rock can consist of one type of mineral or be a mix of several minerals, but a mineral is a pure substance with its distinct attributes.