Rocks and Minerals

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

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

Cleavage refers to the way a mineral breaks along specific planes of weakness, resulting in smooth surfaces.

Streak is the color of the powder left behind when a mineral is rubbed against a ceramic plate.

Hardness measures a mineral's resistance to scratching, while mass measures the amount of matter in the mineral.

When a powder dissolves in water, it breaks down into smaller particles and becomes part of the liquid.

A steel file can scratch feldspar because it is harder than feldspar on the Mohs scale.

You can test the hardness of a mineral by trying to scratch it with common objects like a fingernail or a penny.

Mica is an example of a mineral that has perfect cleavage, allowing it to split into thin sheets.

A mineral's color can help identify it, but it is not always reliable due to impurities.