Answer 1:
No and yes - the abundances of elements in the
universe is determined by the physics of how
nuclear fusion works in stars, and this will be
the same anywhere. However, the heavy stuff
(basically everything other than hydrogen and
helium) tends to collect in the planes of spiral
of galaxies where there is a lot of star
formation, and not in the galactic nuclei or in
the galactic halos. Yes. Water is not a
mineral on Mercury. It is a mineral in certain
parts of Earth (where it is cold enough to
freeze), but not in other parts (which are above
freezing). Water is a very important mineral
substance in the outer solar system (in fact it is
THEmost important!). This goes back to your
first question: water forms a number of different
crystal structures under different conditions of
temperature and pressure, and each of these is a
different crystal lattice and therefore a
different mineral. I know of at least ten of
these,and there are probably more. This is part of
the reason why there are three thousand minerals
described, because you can make as many as ten
different types of crystal even with something as
simple as water. How we define minerals is
something of an arbitrary distinction. It works on
Earth. It won't work when we go to other planets. |