Rocks and Minerals

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Mineral

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A naturally occurring inorganic substance with a distinct chemical composition and internal atomic structure.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

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Rock

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Any mass of mineral particles that form part of the Earth's crust. There are 3 major types including Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary.

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Crystal

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A solid of definite chemical and atomic composition and arrangement.

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Color

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The observable characteristic of a mineral. It is the least useful for mineral identification.

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Cleavage

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The tendency of some rocks and minerals to split into flat planes due to its crystals' atomic structure.

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Fracture

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The tendency of some rocks and minerals to split irregularly due to its crystals' atomic structure.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

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Hardness

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The characteristic of a mineral's resistance to scratching by another mineral or substance. Can be determined using a scratch test.

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Luster

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The characteristic of a mineral referring to its ability to reflect light.

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Streak

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The characteristic color of a mineral in its powdered form. Found by using a streak test.

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Sedimentary rock

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Rocks formed at or near the surface of the Earth from compacted sediments, often deposited in layers (strata) and naturally cemented together.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-5