Properties of Minerals ES Q1M2

It is an inorganic, naturally occurring, crystalline substance represented by a specific chemical formula.

• Mineral

• Rock

It describes the reflection of light off a mineral’s surface.

• Color

• Streak

• Luster

It is the strength with which a mineral resists its surface being scraped or punctured.

• Streak

• Hardness

• Cleavage

It is the tendency for specimens of a mineral to repeatedly grow into characteristic shapes.

• Crystal Structure

• Crystal Shape

• Crystal Habit

It is the tendency of a mineral to break along certain planes to make smooth surfaces.

• Hardness

• Cleavage

• Fracture

It is the density of a mineral divided by the density of water.

• Specific Gravity

• Specific Density

• Specific Weight

It is any mineral that forms igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks.

• Rock Mineral

• Rock Forming Mineral

• Mineral Forming Rock

These are minerals that are based on the carbonate ion S^2-.

• Silicates

• Sulfides

• Sulfates

These are minerals that are based on the sulfide ion (CO3)^2-.

• Phosphates

• Oxides

• Carbonates

These are minerals that have a halogen element as the anion.

• Native Elements

• Oxides

• Halides