EARTH SCI SET 2 Flashcards
study of minerals
mineralogy
naturally occurring compound
mineral
ability to reflect light off its surface
luster
three types of ability to transmit light
opaque
translucent
transparent
no light can pass through
opaque
asmall amount of light can pass through
translucent
almost all light can pass through
transparent
not a reliable property in identifying minerals
color
color of mineral in powdered form
streak
combination of crystals
crystal shape
minerals resistance to breaking
tenacity
resistance to abrasion
hardness
ability to break along planes of weak bonding
cleavage
exhibits uneven surface when broken
fracture
ratio of density of mineral to density of water
specific gravity
make up most of rocks on earth’s crust
rock forming minerals
used extensively in manufacturing products
economic minerals
minerals abundant in earth’s crust
silicate minerals
less abundant in earth’s crust
non-silicate minerals
process where magma cools and solidifies
crystallization/solidification
when exposed to surface
uplifting
disintegrate due to the influence of the atmosphere
weathering
particles dissolved from weathering
sediments
minerals deposited into bodies of water
lithification
type of igneous rock made of tiny crystals
extrusive rocks (volcanic rocks)
type of igneous rock made of large crystals
intrusive rocks(plutonic rock)
how do sedimentary rocks form
compaction and cementation of sediments
how do igneous rocks form
cooling of magma
transformation or change in form
metamorphism
extact ores near earth’s surface
surface mining
extract ores embedded deep beneath the surface
underground mining
usage of cyanide/acid to dissolve non-useful rock
heap leaching
production of air bubbles for important minerals to float
floatation
heating pore at very high temperature
smelting
