The Physical Properties of Minerals

What is an example of a defining attribute of a mineral? 

• Definite chemical composition
• Organic
• Liquid or Gas
• Man Made

What are the main physical properties of minerals? 

• Luster, Streak, Color
• Streak, Hardness, Luster
• Hardness, Color, Luster, Streak
• Hardness, Color

How do you test the hardness of a mineral? 

• Throw it against a wall
• Step on it
• Scratch Test
• Kick it until it breaks

What scale is used to test the hardness of a mineral? 

• Mineral Hardness Scale
• Moh's Hardness Scale
• Hom's Hardness Scale
• Shom Hardness Scale

How effective is the physical property of color in identifying a mineral? 

• Very effective.  You can immediately identify it based only on the color. 
• It doesn't make a difference.  Every mineral can be any color.  
• It is one property and may not be used alone to identify a mineral. 
• Color isn't a physical property. 

What are the two types of luster? 

• Metallic and Metallic
• Nonmetallic and Shiny
• Metallic and Nonmetallic
• Shiny and Dull

How do you test the streak of a mineral? 

• By scraping some of the mineral onto a streak plate.
• Look for streaks on the mineral.
• Google it. 
• You don't.