December 5 Minerals

Front

What property were miners testing when they bit into a mineral to distinguish real gold from pyrite?

Back

Hardness

Front

What scale do you refer to when determining which minerals can scratch others?

Back

Moh's Hardness Scale

Front

What is a solid geometric form that results from a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules?

Back

Crystal

Front

Which indicator is NOT a good sole indicator for identifying a mineral?

Back

Color

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 a mineral and a rock?

Back

Minerals are pure substances with a specific chemical composition, while rocks are composed of one or more minerals.

Front

What is luster in terms of mineral properties?

Back

Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What does the term 'cleavage' refer to in mineralogy?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of streak in mineral identification?

Back

Streak is the color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a porcelain plate.

Front

How does hardness relate to the Moh's Hardness Scale?

Back

The Moh's Hardness Scale ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, with talc being the softest and diamond the hardest.