Mineral Properties and Identification

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

• Cleavage

• Streak

• Luster

• Reflection

What is the softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale?

• Diamond

• Gypsum

• Topaz

• Talc

How much a mineral resists scratching is

• Streak

• Fracture

• Hardness

• Cleavage

_________ is when a mineral splits along flat surfaces.

• color

• cleavage

• fracture

Which property of minerals does the photo represent?

• fracture

• streak

• habit

• cleavage

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

• luster

• color

• streak

• cleavage

Which indicator would not be good as the only indicator when identifying a mineral?

• Color

• Breaking Pattern

• Specific Gravity

• Hardness

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Hardness is a property that helps identify minerals. Scientists use a scale of 1-10 to show the hardness of a mineral. What number would be given to the hardest?

• 1

• 10

• 5

• 7

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

• mineral

• rock

• crystal

• fluorite

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

• Topaz (8)

• Corundum (9)

• Calcite (3)

• Orthoclase (6)