Weathering/Erosion & Rocks/Minerals Unit Exam Flashcards

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Mineral

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A naturally occurring solid substance made of one or more elements. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks and have a specific chemical composition and structure. For example, quartz is a mineral.

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Silicate

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The largest group of minerals, made mostly of silicon and oxygen, often combined with other elements. Examples include mica and feldspar. These minerals make up most of Earth's crust.

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Crystallization

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The process by which a liquid cools and forms a solid with a specific pattern or shape, called a crystal. It happens when substances like minerals form from molten rock (magma) or water solutions.

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Luster

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Describes how a mineral reflects light. For example, a mineral can look shiny like metal (metallic luster) or dull and glassy (non-metallic luster).

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Streak

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The color of the powder a mineral leaves behind when rubbed on a streak plate. The streak color is often different from the color of the mineral itself.

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Hardness

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Measures how easily a mineral can be scratched. Scientists use the Mohs scale (from 1 to 10) to compare hardness. For example, talc is very soft (1), while diamond is the hardest (10).

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Cleavage

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The way a mineral breaks along flat surfaces. If a mineral breaks into smooth, flat pieces, it has good cleavage.

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Fracture

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How a mineral breaks when it doesn’t split along flat surfaces- rough or jagged edges.

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Rock

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A solid material made of one or more minerals or other substances. Rocks make up Earth’s crust and can form in different ways.

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Sediments

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Small pieces of rock, minerals, or organic material (like plant or animal remains) that are broken down by weathering and moved by wind, water, or ice.