NYS Mineral Review

Front

What is the reason calcite breaks in smooth, flat surfaces?

Back

Calcite breaks in smooth, flat surfaces because it has a regular arrangement of atoms.

Front

What characteristic do samples of the mineral pyroxene normally exhibit?

Back

Samples of the mineral pyroxene normally exhibit a hardness of 5 to 6.

Front

How would you describe the breakage of a mineral that breaks into flat pieces?

Back

The breakage of a mineral that breaks into flat pieces is called cleavage.

Front

What mineral occurs in flexible thin sheets and is used in cosmetics?

Back

Muscovite Mica occurs in flexible thin sheets and is used in cosmetics.

Front

Why is a man-made object with a crystal structure not considered a mineral?

Back

A man-made object with a crystal structure is not considered a mineral because it is man-made.

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is cleavage in mineralogy?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the smooth breakage along planes of weakness, while fracture is the irregular breakage of a mineral.

Front

What is the hardness scale used to measure minerals?

Back

The Mohs scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals, ranging from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's crystal structure?

Back

A mineral's crystal structure determines its physical properties, such as shape, cleavage, and hardness.