Mineral Characteristics

Why is coal not a mineral?

• It is not a solid

• It is man-made

• It is not inorganic

• It is made of carbon

The way a surface (of a mineral) reflect light. Either metallic or nonmetallic:

• Cleavage

• Streak

• Luster

• Reflection

How much a mineral resists scratching is

• Streak

• Fracture

• Hardness

• Cleavage

_________ is when a mineral splits along flat surfaces.

• color

• cleavage

• fracture

Dull, silky, waxy, pearly, and earthy are terms that best describe which property of minerals?

• luster

• color

• streak

• cleavage

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

• mineral

• rock

• crystal

• fluorite

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which of these minerals is softer than glass (5.5)?

• Topaz (8)

• Corundum (9)

• Calcite (3)

• Orthoclase (6)

What is shown here?

• luster

• hardness

• cleavage

• streak

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

What is the softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale?

• Diamond

• Gypsum

• Topaz

• Talc

___________ breaks in irregular or with jagged edges.

• properties

• hardness

• cleavage

• fracture