Properties of Minerals

Front

What is the definition of cleavage in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the way a mineral breaks along specific planes of weakness, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces.

Front

What property of a mineral is tested by rubbing it on a piece of white tile?

Back

The property being tested is called streak, which refers to the color of the powder left behind when a mineral is scratched on a surface.

Front

What does luster refer to in the context of minerals?

Back

Luster describes the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral, indicating its shine or dullness.

Front

How can the color of a mineral be described?

Back

The color of a mineral can be described using terms such as black, brown, red, gray, and blue.

Front

What method do scientists use to test the hardness of a mineral?

Back

Scientists test for hardness by scratching the mineral against other substances of known hardness.

Front

What is the Mohs scale of hardness?

Back

The Mohs scale of hardness is a scale from 1 to 10 that ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, with talc at 1 (softest) and diamond at 10 (hardest).

Front

What is the difference between color and streak in minerals?

Back

Color refers to the appearance of the mineral itself, while streak refers to the color of the powder left when the mineral is scratched on a surface.

Front

What is meant by the term 'translucent' in mineral properties?

Back

Translucent means that light can pass through the mineral, but objects on the other side cannot be clearly seen.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's hardness?

Back

A mineral's hardness is significant because it helps identify the mineral and determines its suitability for various applications.

Front

What is the term for the way a mineral reflects light?

Back

The term for the way a mineral reflects light is called luster.