Mineral Properties

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

A substance that forms in nature, is a solid, has a definite chemical makeup, and has a crystal structure.

Front

What property of a mineral describes its resistance to scratching?

Back

Hardness.

Front

What property of a mineral describes the way it reflects light?

Back

Luster.

Front

What is the color of the powdered form of a mineral called?

Back

Streak.

Front

What is a crystal?

Back

A solid substance in which the atoms are arranged in an orderly, repeating, three-dimensional pattern.

Front

What is the definition of streak in mineralogy?

Back

The color of the powdered form of a mineral.

Front

What does luster refer to in minerals?

Back

The way a mineral reflects light.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

A scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is cleavage in mineralogy?

Back

The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.

Front

What is specific gravity in relation to minerals?

Back

The ratio of the density of a mineral to the density of water.