Minerals and Their Properties Quiz

Which of the following best defines a "gem"?

• A stone that is used in jewelry

• Made from non-living material

• The ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals

• A rock that breaks along a smooth line

What is the definition of "inorganic"?

• Made from non-living material

• Will conduct electricity

• Cannot be made into thin sheets

• How shiny a rock is

Which term describes the ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals?

• Hardness

• Luster

• Cleavage

• Ore

What is "luster" in relation to minerals?

• How shiny a rock is

• The ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals

• A rock that breaks along a smooth line

• Made from non-living material

Where are large metal and non-metal deposits found?

• Ore

• Gem

• Cleavage

• Luster

The softest mineral in the Mohs hardness scale is

• fluorite-4

• talc-1

• diamond-10

• calcite-3

If a fingernail, coin AND steel nail scratches a rock, what would its hardness be between?

• 1-2

• 2-3

• 3-4

• 5-6

The breaking of a mineral along a smooth, definite, and repeating pattern is called

• fracture

• splintering

• foliation

• cleavage

The way in which a mineral reflects light from its surface is its

• streak

• luster

• porphyritic

• brilliance

Elements that have shiny surfaces and can conduct heat and electricity are called

• nonmetals

• gems

• metals

• ores