Exploring Mineral Properties and Characteristics

Which of the following is a property used to identify minerals?

• Color

• Smell

• Taste

• Temperature

What is the term for the way a mineral reflects light?

• Streak

• Luster

• Hardness

• Cleavage

Which tool is commonly used to test the streak of a mineral?

• Glass plate

• Streak plate

• Magnet

• Ruler

What does the Mohs Hardness Scale measure?

• The color of a mineral

• The ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched

• The weight of a mineral

• The luster of a mineral

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of all minerals?

• Naturally occurring

• Organic

• Solid

• Definite chemical composition

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which mineral property is being tested when you rub a mineral on a porcelain plate?

• Luster

• Streak

• Hardness

• Cleavage

A mineral can scratch glass but cannot scratch quartz. According to the Mohs Hardness Scale below, what is the possible hardness of the mineral? | Mineral | Hardness | |--------------|----------| | Talc | 1 | | Gypsum | 2 | | Calcite | 3 | | Fluorite | 4 | | Apatite | 5 | | Orthoclase | 6 | | Quartz | 7 | | Topaz | 8 | | Corundum | 9 | | Diamond | 10 |

• 4

• 5

• 6

• 8

Which of the following best describes a mineral with a metallic luster?

• It looks shiny like metal.

• It is always colorless.

• It feels greasy.

• It is always transparent.

If a mineral leaves a red streak on a streak plate, what does this tell you?

• The mineral is always red in color.

• The mineral contains iron.

• The mineral's powder is red.

• The mineral is soft.

Which property would you use to distinguish between quartz and calcite if both are colorless?

• Luster

• Hardness

• Streak

• Magnetism