Test Properties of Minerals

When determining which minerals will scratch other minerals, you would need to refer to the:

• Periodic Table of Elements

• Rocks Guide Book

• Moh's Hardness Scale

• Richter Scale

Which indicator would NOT be good as the ONLY indicator when identifying a mineral?

• Color

• Breaking Pattern

• Specific Gravity

• Hardness

Cleavage of a mineral tells you the:

• color

• harness

• temperature

• breakage pattern

Which of the following best describe how you would determine a mineral's streak?

• Throw the mineral against a wall.

• Rub the mineral across a piece of unglazed porcelain (back of tile)

• Scratch the mineral against another mineral.

• Rub the mineral between two fingers.

What are the two main types of luster?

• shiny and not shiny
• dull and plain 
• metallic and nonmetallic
• greasy and glassy

Which mineral is the hardest?

• diamond
• quartz
• gypsum
• talc

What is the scale for the Moh's Hardness Scale?

• 1-5
• 1-10
• 1-20
• 1-100

Taylor cannot scratch a mineral sample with her fingernail, but she observes that she can scratch the mineral sample with a piece of metal. What physical property of the mineral sample is Dennis investigating?

• cleavage

• luster

• streak

• hardness

A mineral can ______________ or oxidize, affecting their color.

• tarnish

• change

• break

• streak

Gritty or waxy minerals are an example of which property?

• streak

• texture

• color

• hardness