Minerals

Front

What is the Scratch Test used for?

Back

The Scratch Test is used to determine the hardness of a mineral by scratching it with a material of known hardness.

Front

Where can ore minerals NOT form?

Back

Ore minerals cannot form in a bed of hot, flowing lava.

Front

What does the term 'streak' refer to in mineralogy?

Back

Streak refers to the color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a surface.

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces, while fracture refers to breakage along rough or jagged edges.

Front

How is hardness defined in the context of minerals?

Back

Hardness is a measure of a mineral’s resistance to being scratched.

Front

What is luster in relation to minerals?

Back

Luster describes how light reflects off the surface of a mineral, indicating its shine or dullness.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

The Mohs scale is a scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What are the main types of minerals?

Back

The main types of minerals include silicates, carbonates, oxides, sulfides, and halides.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's crystal structure?

Back

A mineral's crystal structure determines its physical properties, including shape, cleavage, and hardness.