Mineral Properties

Front

What is the term for the way a mineral reflects light from its surface?

Back

Luster

Front

Why is color alone not very useful in mineral identification?

Back

Many minerals have the same color and one mineral can have many different colors.

Front

What type of luster does a dull material have?

Back

Nonmetallic

Front

What is it called when a mineral breaks apart in an irregular way with rough or jagged edges?

Back

Fracture

Front

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a mineral: luster, organic, solid, crystal structure?

Back

Organic

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the term for the color of the powder left by a mineral when it is scraped across a surface?

Back

Streak

Front

What property describes a mineral's resistance to being scratched?

Back

Hardness

Front

What is the term for the way a mineral breaks along flat surfaces?

Back

Cleavage

Front

What is the Mohs scale used for?

Back

To measure the hardness of minerals.