Minerals and Their Properties: Properties of Minerals

The video tutorial explores the process of prospecting for gold and identifying minerals through various properties such as color, streak, luster, breakage, density, and hardness. It explains how these properties help distinguish valuable minerals like gold from others like pyrite. The tutorial also covers the concept of specific gravity and the Mohs scale of hardness, providing examples of minerals with different characteristics.

What is the main difference between gold and pyrite when identifying them by streak?

• Both gold and pyrite have a gold streak.

• Both gold and pyrite have a black streak.

• Gold has a gold streak, while pyrite has a black streak.

• Gold has a black streak, while pyrite has a gold streak.

Which property describes how a mineral reflects light?

• Streak

• Cleavage

• Luster

• Fracture

What is the term used when minerals break along flat surfaces?

• Cleavage

• Luster

• Density

• Fracture

Why does pumice float on water?

• It is less dense than copper.

• It is less dense than water.

• It is denser than water.

• It has a high specific gravity.

On Mohs scale of hardness, which mineral is the hardest?

• Galena

• Talc

• Diamond

• Quartz