NYS Mineral Review

Front

What is Muscovite Mica?

Back

A mineral that occurs in flexible thin sheets and is commonly used in cosmetics.

Front

What is the difference between fracture and cleavage in minerals?

Back

Fracture refers to the way a mineral breaks irregularly, while cleavage describes the tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces.

Front

What is the hardness range of the mineral pyroxene?

Back

Pyroxene typically has a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale.

Front

What type of rocks commonly contain olivine and pyroxene?

Back

Olivine and pyroxene are commonly found in mafic igneous rocks, which have high density.

Front

Why do quartz and halite have different crystal shapes?

Back

Their different crystal shapes are primarily due to the internal arrangement of the atoms.

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is cleavage in minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's hardness?

Back

A mineral's hardness indicates its resistance to scratching and is measured on the Mohs scale.

Front

What are igneous rocks?

Back

Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rock material (magma or lava).

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

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