Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What must be true for a substance to be considered a mineral?

Back

It must be inorganic.

Front

What is the term for a mineral's ability to be hammered into flat sheets?

Back

Malleable.

Front

What elements are primarily found in silicate minerals?

Back

Silicon and oxygen.

Front

What property of a mineral describes its resistance to scratching?

Back

Hardness.

Front

Which property of a mineral is often the least useful for identification?

Back

Color.

Front

What is luster in terms of minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is cleavage in mineralogy?

Back

The tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces.

Front

What is the difference between streak and color in minerals?

Back

Streak is the color of a mineral in powdered form, while color is the appearance of the mineral itself.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

A scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).