Unit 2 Mineral identification

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

• hardness

• specific gravity

• luster

• streak

Answer explanation

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

How light reflects off of a mineral is called the mineral's 

• luster

• streak

• cleavage

• fracture

Answer explanation

The correct answer is luster because it refers to how light reflects off of a mineral's surface.

A mineral's resistance to being scratched is called?

• streak

• luster

• hardness

• heft

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'hardness' because it refers to a mineral's resistance to being scratched.

Which mineral property is being shown here?

• luster

• hardness

• cleavage

• streak

Answer explanation

The mineral property being shown here is streak, which is the color of the powdered form of a mineral.

Diamond has a hardness of ___ on Mohs Hardness Scale.

• 1

• 5

• 8

• 10

Answer explanation

Diamond has a hardness of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale, making 10 the correct choice.

The definition of a mineral does NOT include:

• crystalline structure

• solid

• organic

• natural

Answer explanation

The definition of a mineral does NOT include organic, as minerals are inorganic substances.

Which of the following is NOT a way to identify a mineral?

• Luster

• Hardness

• Heaviness

• Density

Answer explanation

Heaviness is NOT a way to identify a mineral because it is not a specific property used in mineral identification, unlike luster, hardness, and density.

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid which has a definite crystalline structure

• Mineral

• Element

• Compound

• Rock

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Mineral' because minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite crystalline structure.

Repeating pattern of atoms or molecules that is present throughout a solid

• Compound

• Crystals

• Elements

• Molecules

Answer explanation

Crystals are the repeating pattern of atoms or molecules present throughout a solid.

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

• hardness

• specific gravity

• luster

• streak

Answer explanation

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