Minerals Properties Vocab Flashcards

Front

Hardness

Back

A mineral's resistance to being scratched.

Front

the way a mineral breaks along smooth, flat surfaces

Back

Cleavage

Front

Density

Back

How much mass is packed into a certain amount of space.

Front

Streak

Back

The color of a mineral's powder when rubbed on a rough surface.

Front

Fluorescence

Back

When a mineral glows under ultraviolet (UV) light.

Front

A unique quality or characteristic that can be observed or measured and helps to describe or identify something.

Back

property

Front

Able to be measured or expressed as a specific number or amount.

Back

quantifiable

Front

Magnetism

Back

The ability of a mineral to be pulled toward a magnet or act like a magnet.

Front

the way a mineral breaks unevenly, not along smooth surfaces

Back

fracture

Front

the way a mineral's surface reflects light; how shiny it looks

Back

luster