Properties of Minerals

What is a mineral?

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

• A mineral is a type of rock formed from organic materials.

• A mineral is a liquid substance found in nature.

• A mineral is a synthetic compound created in laboratories.

What is 'streak' in mineralogy?

• The color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a surface.

• The luster of a mineral when viewed in light.

• The hardness of a mineral on the Mohs scale.

• The specific gravity of a mineral.

How can you identify a mineral's luster?

• By observing its color

• By examining its hardness

• By observing how it reflects light

• By checking its weight

What does 'inorganic' mean in the context of minerals?

• It means the mineral is made from living organisms.

• It means the mineral is not made from living organisms.

• It refers to minerals that are found in organic matter.

• It indicates that the mineral is man-made.

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

• The color of the mineral

• The way in which a mineral reflects light.

• The hardness of the mineral

• The size of the mineral crystals.

What is the difference between 'color' and 'streak' in minerals?

• Color refers to the mineral's appearance, while streak refers to the mineral's luster.

• Color is the color of the powder left when scratched, while streak is the mineral's appearance.

• Color is the appearance of the mineral, while streak is the color of the powder it leaves when scratched.

• Color and streak are two terms that mean the same thing in mineralogy.

What is 'cleavage' in relation to minerals?

• Cleavage is when a mineral splits along flat surfaces.

• Cleavage refers to the color of a mineral.

• Cleavage is the hardness of a mineral.

• Cleavage describes the luster of a mineral.

What are the five characteristics necessary for a substance to be classified as a mineral?

• 1. Naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, crystal structure, definite chemical composition

• 2. Man-made, organic, liquid, amorphous structure, variable chemical composition

• 3. Naturally occurring, organic, solid, crystal structure, variable chemical composition

• 4. Naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, amorphous structure, definite chemical composition

What is the Mohs Hardness Scale?

• A scale that ranks minerals based on their color from 1 (lightest) to 10 (darkest).

• A scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest).

• A scale that measures the density of minerals from 1 (least dense) to 10 (most dense).

• A scale that categorizes minerals based on their chemical composition.

What is an example of a mineral with perfect cleavage?

• Mica

• Quartz

• Granite

• Obsidian