Mineral Characteristics & Properties

Front

What is the relationship between a rock and a mineral?

Back

Rocks are made up of minerals.

Front

What scale is used to determine which minerals can scratch other minerals?

Back

Moh's Hardness Scale.

Front

What mineral property is tested by observing the color of the powder left behind when a mineral is scratched?

Back

Streak.

Front

What is the difference between characteristics and properties of minerals?

Back

Properties help to classify & identify minerals, while characteristics help determine if a substance is a mineral.

Front

Why are cement, brick, steel, and glass not classified as minerals?

Back

They are not naturally occurring.

Front

What are the five main characteristics used to identify minerals?

Back

Color, streak, luster, hardness, and cleavage.

Front

What is luster in terms of mineral properties?

Back

Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What does the term 'cleavage' refer to in mineralogy?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.

Front

What is the significance of Moh's Hardness Scale in mineral identification?

Back

It ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch one another, helping to identify them.

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.