Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the Mohs scale of hardness?

Back

A scale that ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, ranging from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is the hardness range of a mineral that cannot be scratched by calcite (3) and apatite (5)?

Back

5-10

Front

What is the hardness range of a mineral that can be scratched by topaz but NOT by fluorite?

Back

4-8

Front

What is luster in minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is cleavage in minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is fracture in minerals?

Back

The way a mineral breaks when it does not cleave; it can be uneven or conchoidal.

Front

What is the definition of density in minerals?

Back

The mass of a mineral per unit volume, often expressed in grams per cubic centimeter.

Front

Do minerals have a definite chemical composition?

Back

TRUE

Front

What is streak in minerals?

Back

The color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a hard surface.