Lesson 1: Minerals and Its Physical Properties

Question 1

What is a mineral?

Answer 1

• Naturally occurring
• Inorganic
• Definite chemical composition
• Ordered crystal structure
• Homogenous

Question 2

What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?

Answer 2

A mineral is a naturally occurring solid with a specific chemical composition and crystalline structure, while a rock is a collection of one or more minerals.

Question 3

What is a mineraloid?

Answer 3

A substance that satisfies some, but not all of the parts of the definition

Question 4

Examples of mineraloid

Answer 4

• Opal
• Obsidian
• Pumice

Question 5

Physical Properties of Minerals Used for Identification (I.D.)

Answer 5

1. Color
2. Streak
3. Hardness
4. Cleavage
5. Fracture
6. Luster
7. Density

Question 6

• First impression
• This is NOT a reliable property since lots of
  minerals can occur in different color

Answer 6

Color

Question 7

• True color of a mineral
• Color of a mineral’s powder

Answer 7

Streak

Question 8

• A mineral’s resistance to being scratched
• Mohs Hardness Scale from 1-10

Answer 8

Hardness

Question 9

Splits along definite planes of weakness

Answer 9

Cleavage

Question 10

Breaks irregularly, jagged edges

Answer 10

Fracture

Question 11

• How light shines off a mineral
• Can be metallic or nonmetallic

Answer 11

Luster

Question 12

• The ratio of an objects mass to its volume
• Diagnostic since most minerals do not have the same density

Answer 12

Density