MINERALS

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the process called when a mineral splits apart unevenly?

Back

Fracture.

Front

What is the term for the color of a mineral's powder?

Back

Streak.

Front

What scale ranks minerals from softest to hardest?

Back

Mohs hardness scale.

Front

How many minerals have geologists identified?

Back

Over 4000.

Front

What property allows a mineral to split easily along flat surfaces?

Back

Cleavage.

Front

What is luster in relation to minerals?

Back

The way a mineral reflects light, which can be described as metallic or non-metallic.

Front

What is hardness in terms of minerals?

Back

A measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching.

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces, while fracture is an uneven break.

Front

What is the significance of the Mohs hardness scale?

Back

It helps to identify minerals based on their hardness compared to ten reference minerals.