The Properties of Minerals

When determining the color of a minerals powder, what tool would you need?

• streak plate
• hand lens
• microscope
• triple-beam balance

When determining which minerals will scratch other minerals, you would need to refer to the:

• Periodic Table of Elements
• Rocks Guide Book
• Moh's Hardness Scale
• Richter Scale

Which indicator would not be good as the only indicator when identifying a mineral? 

• Color
• Breaking Pattern
• Specific Gravity
• Hardness

Fracture or cleavage of a mineral tells you the:

• color
• harness
• temperature
• breakage patter

Which of the following is not true of all minerals?

• Definite Chemical Composition
• Definite Crystalline Shape
• Made in Laboratories
• Solid

Which of the following best describe how you would determine a minerals streak.

• Throw the mineral against a wall.
• Rub the mineral across a piece of unglazed porcelain
• Scratch the mineral against another  mineral.
• Rub the mineral between two fingers.

What are the two main types of luster?

• shiny and not shiny
• dull and plain 
• metallic and nonmetallic
• greasy and glassy

Why would someone use specific gravity when identifying a mineral?

• Specific gravity does change for a mineral.
• Density may change for a mineral.
• Density may not change for a mineral.
• Specific gravity is not important.

Which of the following is NOT a use for common minerals discussed in class?

• used for building materials
• used in jewelry
• used in toothpaste
• used to hear sound

Which mineral is number 6 on the hardness scale?

• Conrundum
• Topaz
• Quartz
• Orthoclase