Mineral Properties and Weathering

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carbonate

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A mineral group that contains the carbonate ion: Carbon + Oxygen CO3. Example: CaCO3 = limestone. Carbonates dissolve with acid.

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Chemical weathering

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Takes place when the rock's minerals are changed into different substances, also known as decomposition.

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cleavage

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The splitting of a mineral into pieces that have flat surfaces.

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element

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Cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances.

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fracture

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Minerals that do not split cleanly, but break into pieces with irregular surfaces.

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luster

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The way a mineral reflects light, may be metallic or nonmetallic. Minerals with metallic luster shine like a metal (such as gold). Minerals with nonmetallic luster may look glassy, dull, and clay-like.

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mineral

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A substance with these features: found in nature, same chemical makeup everywhere, crystalline structure, solid units, inorganic.

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Moh's scale

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A scale that rates minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest).

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ore

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A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted for profit.

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Physical weathering

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The process by which rocks break down into smaller pieces without any change to their chemical composition.