Minerals

Front

What are the characteristics that define a mineral?

Back

A mineral has a definite chemical composition, crystal structure, and is naturally occurring.

Front

What term describes how a mineral reflects light from its surface?

Back

Luster.

Front

What is the mineral name for common table salt?

Back

Halite.

Front

What is the term for the color of a mineral in its powdered form?

Back

Streak.

Front

What property describes a mineral's ability to split easily along flat surfaces?

Back

Cleavage.

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces, while fracture is the way a mineral breaks in an irregular manner.

Front

What is the term for the measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching?

Back

Hardness.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

A scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is specific gravity in relation to minerals?

Back

Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a mineral to the density of water.