Characteristic Properties

Introduction to Minerals

by Melissa Nelson

​What is a Mineral?

​Record the 5 Characteristics of Minerals on your graphic organizer as we watch.

Multiple Choice

What "mineral" can be found in most kitchens?

• salt

• paprika

• pepper

• garlic

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a mineral?

• granite

• pepper

• glass

• ice

Multiple Choice

Which question does NOT identify a characteristic of a mineral?

• Is it inorganic?

• Does it have a definite chemical composition?

• What color is the object?

• Is it a solid?

Multiple Choice

What does "inorganic" mean?

• living

• man-made

• internal

• not living / never was living

Multiple Choice

Liquid water is a mineral because of its definite chemical composition. 

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Identifying Minerals

​Here, we will see how to identify a mineral according to its PROPERTIES. Pay close attention to the properties!

Multiple Choice

Which is not a reliable property of minerals?

• hardness

• streak

• color

• luster

Multiple Choice

The hardest of all minerals is...

• iron.

• diamond.

• talc.

• quartz.

Multiple Choice

The property of minerals that describes the shine of a mineral is:

• hardness.

• streak.

• cleavage.

• luster.

Multiple Choice

The property of minerals that describes how a mineral breaks is:

• cleavage.

• luster.

• hardness.

• density.

Multiple Choice

The color of a mineral in powder form is called the mineral's 

• hardness.

• specific gravity.

• luster.

• streak.