6th Chapter 3 Test: Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is luster in minerals?

Back

Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral, categorized as metallic or nonmetallic.

Front

What is the streak test?

Back

The streak test involves rubbing a mineral on a porcelain plate to observe the color of its powder.

Front

What does cleavage mean in mineralogy?

Back

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

Front

What is density?

Back

Density is the mass of a substance divided by its volume, typically expressed in g/cm³.

Front

How do you calculate density?

Back

Density = Mass / Volume.

Front

What is the difference between hardness and softness in minerals?

Back

Hardness measures a mineral's resistance to scratching, while softness indicates it can be easily scratched.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

The Mohs scale is a scale from 1 to 10 used to rank the hardness of minerals.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's color?

Back

Color can help identify a mineral, but it is not always reliable due to impurities.

Front

What is fluorescence in minerals?

Back

Fluorescence is the ability of a mineral to glow under ultraviolet light.