Minerals and Rocks: Everyday Uses

Construction

• Modern buildings are based on a construction from rock and mineral products. The steel, cement and concrete that form the structure of most nonwood buildings are among the most common construction materials and come from ore deposits in rocks. They also form the roads and sidewalks that modern cities depend on. Shale, limestone and marble are other rocks that commonly find use in the construction of buildings. Even glass, which is made from sand, is a rock product, with various minerals added to give it strength and clarity. Copper pipes carry water into buildings, while cement pipes, made from rocks, carry water to cities and divert sewage to treatment plants.

Health

• Minerals are vital to human health and occur naturally in certain foods. Other minerals are added to processed foods for their health benefits. The list of minerals essential for good health includes zinc, which promotes healthy skin and healing, and potassium, which helps regulate blood sugar, water flow, brain function, kidney function and blood pressure. Iron, which is the same material used to make steel, allows the blood to carry oxygen. Calcium builds bones and teeth, while copper supports the immune system and helps guard against infection.

Tools and Products

• A wide range of tools use the metals taken from rocks in their construction. Iron, steel, lead and aluminum form the basis for most metal tools including hammers, screwdrivers and cutting tools. They're also essential for the construction of automobiles, aircraft and other vehicles. Magnesium and nickel alloys have special properties in terms of strength, flexibility and thermodynamics that make them ideal for building everything from automobiles to missiles and nuclear power plants.

Decoration

• Rocks and minerals commonly appear in art and other decorative objects. Metal jewelry uses the gold and silver deposits from rocks, and gold leaf adorns fine books and architectural details inside buildings. Copper, zinc, marble and plaster are all rock-based media for sculptors to chisel and carve into beautiful forms.