5.3 Identifying Minerals Flashcard Review

Front

What is the term for the color of the powder left behind when a mineral is rubbed against a tile?

Back

Streak

Front

Which property is NOT used to identify minerals?

Back

Size

Front

What is the correct name of the hardness scale used to measure minerals?

Back

Moh’s hardness scale

Front

What test involves scraping a mineral and checking the color of the powder?

Back

Streak

Front

Gold, silver, and copper are examples of minerals that have what type of luster?

Back

Metallic

Front

What is luster in terms of mineral identification?

Back

Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What does the term 'hardness' refer to in mineralogy?

Back

Hardness refers to a mineral's resistance to being scratched.

Front

What is the Mohs scale used for?

Back

The Mohs scale is used to rank minerals based on their hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is the difference between 'streak' and 'color' in mineral identification?

Back

Streak is the color of the powder left by a mineral, while color refers to the appearance of the mineral itself.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral's cleavage?

Back

Cleavage describes how a mineral breaks along specific planes of weakness.