Properties of Minerals

Front

What is luster in minerals?

Back

Luster is the way a mineral's surface reflects light. It can be metallic (shiny) or nonmetallic (dull).

Front

What is the hardness scale for minerals?

Back

The hardness scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest mineral, which is diamond.

Front

What does the streak test measure?

Back

The streak test measures the color of the powder left when a mineral is dragged across a streak plate.

Front

What is a rock made of?

Back

A rock is made up of two or more minerals.

Front

What is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale?

Back

The hardest mineral on the Mohs scale is diamond, which is rated as 10.

Front

What is cleavage in minerals?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between fracture and cleavage?

Back

Fracture is when a mineral breaks unevenly, while cleavage is when it breaks along smooth, flat surfaces.

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the term for the color of a mineral's powder?

Back

The term is 'streak'.

Front

What is the definition of hardness in minerals?

Back

Hardness is a measure of how resistant a mineral is to being scratched.