Properties of Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is hardness in minerals?

Back

Hardness is a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched.

Front

How can you test a mineral's hardness?

Back

You can test a mineral's hardness by scratching it with a fingernail.

Front

What is a streak in minerals?

Back

A streak is the color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a surface.

Front

How do you test the streak color of a mineral?

Back

You test the streak color by scraping the mineral across a tile of unglazed porcelain.

Front

What does cleavage mean in minerals?

Back

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

Front

How can you test for cleavage in a mineral?

Back

You can test for cleavage by trying to break the mineral along different directions.

Front

What is luster in minerals?

Back

Luster describes how light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What is the difference between metallic and non-metallic luster?

Back

Metallic luster looks shiny like metal, while non-metallic luster can be dull, glassy, or pearly.

Front

What is the color of a mineral?

Back

The color of a mineral is the appearance of the mineral itself, which can vary widely.