Minerals

Front

What are the properties used by scientists to identify and classify minerals?

Back

Properties such as color, luster, hardness, streak, and cleavage.

Front

What type of luster does a mineral have if it is shiny like metal?

Back

Metallic luster.

Front

What does inorganic mean?

Back

Not made of living things.

Front

What tools can be used to test the hardness of a mineral?

Back

A nail, a penny, and a fingernail.

Front

What is the name of the scale that measures the hardness of minerals?

Back

Moh's scale.

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 metallic and nonmetallic luster?

Back

Metallic luster is shiny like metal, while nonmetallic luster can be dull, glassy, or pearly.

Front

What is streak in mineralogy?

Back

The color of the powder produced when a mineral is scratched on a streak plate.

Front

What is cleavage in minerals?

Back

The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's hardness?

Back

It helps to identify the mineral and understand its properties.