Which option is a mineral?
A. Wood
B. Pearl
C. Garnet
D. Coal
C. Garnet
The option that is a mineral is C. Garnet.
To determine which option is a mineral, we need to understand what minerals are. Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances that have a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. They are solid materials that are formed through various geological processes.
Now, let's analyze the options:
A. Wood: Wood is not a mineral. It is derived from the stems and branches of trees and is composed mainly of cellulose, a complex organic compound.
B. Pearl: A pearl is also not a mineral. It is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Pearls consist primarily of calcium carbonate, an organic substance.
C. Garnet: Garnet is a mineral. It is a group of silicate minerals that have similar crystal structures but may vary in composition. Garnets are commonly found in metamorphic and igneous rocks.
D. Coal: Coal is not a mineral. It is a naturally occurring black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon, along with various other elements such as hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Based on this analysis, the option that is a mineral is C. Garnet.