Properties of Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the Mohs Hardness Scale?

Back

The Mohs Hardness Scale is a scale that ranks minerals based on their ability to resist scratching, with talc being the softest and diamond being the hardest.

Front

What does the term 'luster' refer to in minerals?

Back

Luster describes the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral, with terms like dull, silky, waxy, pearly, and earthy used to describe different types.

Front

What is 'hardness' in the context of minerals?

Back

Hardness is a measure of how resistant a mineral is to scratching.

Front

What is 'cleavage' in mineralogy?

Back

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

Front

What is 'fracture' in relation to minerals?

Back

Fracture refers to the way a mineral breaks when it does not cleave, resulting in uneven or jagged surfaces.

Front

What is the difference between 'cleavage' and 'fracture'?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency to break along smooth planes, while fracture is an irregular break.

Front

What is 'streak' in mineral identification?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of crystal structure in minerals?

Back

Crystal structure refers to the orderly arrangement of atoms in a mineral, which influences its physical properties.

Front

What is 'color' in the context of minerals?

Back

Color is the appearance of a mineral, but it can be misleading as some minerals can occur in various colors.