Question

Which of the following materials are minerals, and why (or why not)? Water; beach sand; diamond; wood; vitamin pill; gold nugget; fishbone; emerald.

Answer 1

This site explain what a mineral is well.

http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/what_is_a_mineral.html

Water - No, it is not a solid
Beach sand - No it may contain minerals but has organic material and is a sediment.
Diamond - Yes, solid, crystalline structure
Wood - No, it is an organic material, differing chemical composition
Vitamin pill - No, it can contain minerals but also contains vitamins which are organic
Gold Nugget - Yes, solid, fixed chemical formula, native element
Fishbone - No, organic material
Emerald - Yes, solid, crystalline structure

Answer 2

,,Zed" - can you tel me please why the water not is material ? so this one liquid material or if you like more this is one material in liquid form and why the water not is material with minerals ? so the water is material with minerals dissolved (in solved form)