Properties and Characteristics of Minerals

11. Why is color not a very good indicator in identifying minerals?

• Minerals only come in one color

• Every mineral has its own unique color.

• Many different minerals come in the same color.

12.What is the difference between fracture and cleavage in a mineral?

• Cleavage = breaks along flat, smooth planes into a set shape,

  Fracture = breaks in random, jagged edges.

• Cleavage = breaks in random, jagged edges.

  Fracture = breaks along flat, smooth planes into a set shape,

2. Which mineral property refers to how easily a mineral can be scratched?

• A. Streak

• B. Density

• C. Hardness

• D. Fracture

6. Describe how you would determine a mineral’s streak.

• Rub the mineral on a ceramic plate.

• Rub the mineral on a glass plate.

• Break the mineral.

• Place the mineral in a beaker of water.

8. What are the two main types of luster?

• Metallic

• Glossy

• Nonmetallic

• Pearly

Which of the following are characteristics of a mineral?

• natural

• crystalline structure

• solid

• all of the above

The color of a mineral in powder form is called the mineral's 

• hardness
• specific gravity
• luster
• streak

Dull, silky, waxy, pearly, and earthy are terms that best describe which property of minerals?

• luster
• color
• streak
• cleavage

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition is referring to

• density
• streak
• mineral
• non silicate mineral

The solid, geometric form of a mineral produced by a repeating pattern of atoms

• crystal
• density
• element
• fracture