Properties of Minerals

The way a surface reflects light.

• color
• luster
• streak
• density

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Refers to a mineral's resistance to being scratched. 

• color
• cleavage
• hardness
• breakage

Characteristics that can be observed or measured.

• physical properties
• density
• luster
• breakage

Amount of matter in a given space.

• breakage
• hardness
• cleavage
• density

Color of a mineral in powdered form.

• hardness
• streak
• breakage
• density

Outside appearance of a mineral.

• streak
• hardness
• color
• breakage

A dull material is described as having a __________________ luster.

• metallic
• nonmetallic

__________________ is the tendency of a mineral to break along curved or irregular surfaces.

• Cleavage
• Fracture

Moh’s scale of hardness ranks minerals from 1 which is the _______________ to 10 which is the ________________.

• softest, hardest
• hardest, softest

________________ is the softest mineral.

• Talc
• Diamond