Rocks and Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is a rock?

Back

A rock is a solid material composed of one or more minerals or mineraloids.

Front

What is the rock cycle?

Back

The rock cycle is the continuous process by which rocks are formed, broken down, and reformed over time.

Front

What is cleavage in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces.

Front

What is streak in mineralogy?

Back

Streak is the color of a mineral in its powdered form, usually obtained by rubbing it on an unglazed porcelain tile.

Front

Why is color not a reliable property for identifying minerals?

Back

Many minerals can have the same color, making it unreliable for identification.

Front

What is luster in minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is hardness in minerals?

Back

Hardness is a measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching, often determined using the Mohs scale.

Front

What are igneous rocks?

Back

Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava).

Front

What are sedimentary rocks?

Back

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.