Minerals

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is luster in relation to minerals?

Back

Luster describes how a mineral reflects light, which can be metallic, glassy, dull, etc.

Front

What does 'crystal structure' mean in the context of minerals?

Back

Crystal structure refers to the orderly, repeating three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a mineral.

Front

What does it mean for a mineral to be inorganic?

Back

Inorganic means that the mineral is not made by living organisms.

Front

What is the significance of a mineral being solid?

Back

A mineral must be solid at room temperature, meaning it has a definite shape and volume.

Front

What is the definition of 'chemical composition' in minerals?

Back

Chemical composition refers to the specific elements and their proportions that make up a mineral.

Front

What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?

Back

A mineral is a single substance with a specific chemical composition, while a rock is a mixture of one or more minerals.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

The Mohs scale is a scale used to measure the hardness of minerals, ranging from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is the term for the color of the powder left behind when a mineral is scraped across a surface?

Back

Streak.