Minerals

Front

What is the term for the color of a mineral in its powdered form?

Back

Streak.

Front

When a mineral is described as 'metallic' or 'non-metallic', what property are we describing?

Back

Luster.

Front

What mineral property is measured using the Moh's scale?

Back

Hardness.

Front

What is the least useful property for identifying a mineral?

Back

Color.

Front

What does a crystalline structure in minerals refer to?

Back

The orderly and repeating arrangement of atoms in a mineral.

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces, while fracture is the way a mineral breaks in an irregular manner.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's hardness?

Back

Hardness indicates a mineral's resistance to scratching and is used for identification.

Front

What is the term for the way light reflects off a mineral's surface?

Back

Luster.

Front

What is the Moh's scale used for?

Back

To rank the hardness of minerals from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).