Identifying Minerals

Front

What is the term used to describe the way a mineral reflects light?

Back

Luster

Front

List the different types of luster that can describe a mineral.

Back

Shiny, dull, metallic, glassy, waxy.

Front

What property of a mineral is measured on a scale of 1 to 10?

Back

Hardness

Front

True or false: All minerals have the same streak color.

Back

False

Front

What does the term 'cleavage' refer to in mineralogy?

Back

The way a mineral breaks along specific planes.

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.

Front

What is the Mohs scale used for?

Back

To measure the hardness of minerals.

Front

What is the difference between 'cleavage' and 'fracture' in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces, while fracture is the way a mineral breaks irregularly.

Front

What is streak in mineralogy?

Back

The color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a streak plate.

Front

How can you determine the hardness of a mineral?

Back

By using the Mohs scale or performing scratch tests against known materials.