Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

How do you test the hardness of a mineral?

Back

Scratch Test.

Front

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

Back

Streak.

Front

What is the least useful way to identify a mineral?

Back

Color.

Front

How light reflects off of a mineral is called what?

Back

Luster.

Front

What is luster in minerals?

Back

The way light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What is streak in mineralogy?

Back

The color of a mineral when it is powdered.

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 irregularly.

Front

What is specific gravity in relation to minerals?

Back

The ratio of the density of a mineral to the density of water.

Front

What are silicate minerals?

Back

Minerals that contain silicon and oxygen, often forming the building blocks of rocks.