Which of the following is a mineral? (1 O wheat O plastic O oxygen

sand

Sand is a mineral.

To determine which of the following options is a mineral, we need to understand what minerals are. Here's how you can identify a mineral:

1. Chemical Composition: A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition. It is essential to consider the element or elements present in the substance.

2. Crystal Structure: Minerals have an ordered and repeating internal structure known as a crystal lattice. This structure determines the physical properties of the mineral, such as its shape and cleavage.

Now let's examine the options you provided:

1. Wheat: Wheat is an agricultural crop and not a mineral. It is a plant product and therefore does not meet the criteria of being an inorganic solid.

2. Plastic: Plastic is a synthetic material produced from polymers. It is not a natural substance and does not have a specific chemical composition or crystal structure. Therefore, it is not a mineral.

3. Oxygen: Oxygen, in its elemental form, does not qualify as a mineral since it is a gas. Minerals are typically solid substances.

4. Sand: Sand is a mixture of mineral particles composed mainly of silica (silicon dioxide). It meets the criteria of being a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition (mainly SiO2). Additionally, sand can have a crystalline structure. Therefore, sand can be considered a mineral.

Based on the information provided, the only option that fits the definition of a mineral is sand.