Properties of Minerals

The way in which a mineral reflects light is called

• color

• luster

• cleavage

• fracture

If you look at a mineral and decide if it is metallic or nonmetallic, shiny, dull, glassy, how it reflects light -you are looking at its __________.

• luster

• cleavage

• fracture

• streak

A ________ is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid that can have crystal structure and definite chemical composition. 

• mineral

• rock

• crystal

• fluorite

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

How much a mineral resists scratching is

• Streak

• Fracture

• Hardness

• Cleavage

Which mineral would scratch calcite but not scratch apatite?

• fluorite

• gypsum

• talc

• topaz

Pyrite, often called "fool's gold" has a ________ luster.

• metallic

• nonmetallic

Which best describes the property of a mineral?

• Foliated and Non-foliated

• Intrusive and extrusive

• Streak, hardness, and breakage pattern

• Inorganic

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

The way a mineral splits is called ________.

Answer explanation

The way a mineral splits is called cleavage. This term describes the tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes of weakness, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces.

The color of a minerals powder is called​ (a)  

• luster

• streak

• color

• density

Which of the following statements is not true about minerals?

• They must be solid

• They must have been alive at some point

• They must be formed by nature

• They must have a defined chemical composition

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-2