Minerals

Physical properties of minerals such as color, hardness, luster, and streak are used to determine what about a mineral?

• identity
• mass
• age
• location

Scientist test for the hardness of a mineral by doing which of the following?

• measuring the mass of the mineral and comparing it against other minerals
• observing how light reflects off the mineral and how the mineral looks as a result
• observing the color of a mineral and comparing it against other minerals
• scratching the mineral against other substances of known hardness

One test of a mineral is the streak test in which what property is determined?

• The color of powder left begin when the mineral is rubbed on a surface
• The amount of pore space in the mineral as measured by submerging it in water
• The conductivity of a mineral, determined by attaching it to an electric circuit
• The wavelength of light that is refracted when light passes through the mineral

Which of the following best describes luster?

• The mass of an object
• The way light reflects off an object
• The texture of an object
• The density of an object

Refer to the Mohs Hardness Scale.
A mineral with a hardness of 7 can scratch-

• Orthoclase feldspar, but cannot scratch talc
• Calcite, but cannot scratch apatite
• topaz, but cannot scratch flourite
• gypsum, but cannot scratch corundum 

Which mineral can scratch fluorite, but is scratched by orthoclase feldspar?

• Calcite
• Talc
• Apatite
• Diamond