Chapter 1 Flashcards
Mineral
a naturally formed inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure.
element
a substance that can not be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
compound
a substance made up of atoms of two or more elements joined my chemical bonds.
Crystal
a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern.
Silicate minerals
a mineral that contains a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals.
nonsilicate minerals
a mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen
luster
the way in which a mineral reflects light
streak
the color of the powder of a mineral
cleavage
the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surfaces
fracture
the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
hardness
a measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching
density
the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance
ore
a natural mineral whose concentration of economically valuable minerals is high enough for the mineral to be mined for profit
reclamation
the process of returning land to its original condition after mining is completed
