Properties of Minerals

Front

What is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale?

Back

Diamond, which is rated as 10 on the Mohs scale.

Front

What does the term 'cleavage' refer to in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.

Front

What property of minerals is tested using a scratch test?

Back

Hardness.

Front

Which property is considered the least useful for identifying minerals?

Back

Color.

Front

What is the definition of 'hardness' in relation to minerals?

Back

Hardness is how much a mineral resists scratching.

Front

What is the Mohs scale used for?

Back

The Mohs scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals.

Front

What is 'luster' in terms of mineral properties?

Back

Luster describes how light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What does 'fracture' mean in mineralogy?

Back

Fracture refers to how a mineral breaks when it does not cleave.

Front

What is the term for the color of the powder left by a mineral when it is scratched on a surface?

Back

Streak.

Front

What is the difference between 'cleavage' and 'fracture'?

Back

Cleavage is breaking along flat surfaces, while fracture is breaking irregularly.