Mineral Identification Flashcard

Front

What property describes how light travels through a mineral?

Back

Diaphaneity: It refers to the transparency or opacity of a mineral, indicating how much light can pass through it.

Front

What is density in the context of minerals?

Back

Density: It is the mass-to-volume ratio of a mineral, indicating how heavy a mineral is for its size.

Front

Which mineral is known for its tenacity?

Back

Copper: It is known for its malleability and ductility, making it a good example of tenacity.

Front

What is the first step in identifying a mineral?

Back

Observe its physical characteristics: This includes examining color, luster, and crystal form.

Front

Which of the following is NOT a type of mineral luster?

Back

Sandy: Luster types include metallic, glassy, and pearly, but sandy is not a recognized type.

Front

What is luster in mineralogy?

Back

Luster: It describes the way light interacts with the surface of a mineral, categorized into types like metallic, glassy, and dull.

Front

What does cleavage refer to in minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is the Mohs scale used for?

Back

Mohs scale: It is a scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness, from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's streak?

Back

Streak: It is the color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a porcelain plate, helping in identification.

Front

What does the term 'tenacity' mean in relation to minerals?

Back

Tenacity: It describes a mineral's resistance to breaking, bending, or deforming, with terms like brittle, malleable, or ductile.