Mineral Properties Review

Front

What does it mean if a mineral has luster?

Back

It means the mineral is shiny.

Front

Define inorganic in the context of minerals.

Back

Inorganic means it is not alive, never has been alive, and never will be.

Front

What property of a mineral is tested by observing its streak?

Back

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

Front

If a mineral has a glassy luster and a hardness less than 3, what mineral could it be?

Back

It could be Talc.

Front

What is the outward appearance of a mineral that is noticeable by sight?

Back

Color.

Front

What is the definition of mineral hardness?

Back

Hardness is a measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching.

Front

What scale is commonly used to measure mineral hardness?

Back

The Mohs scale.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's streak in identification?

Back

The streak can help differentiate between minerals that may look similar.

Front

What is the term for the way light reflects off a mineral's surface?

Back

Luster.

Front

What are the two main categories of luster?

Back

Metallic and non-metallic.