minarals Flashcards
mineral
a substance that is formed naturally in the earth. is organic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure.
streak
the color of a minerals powder when it is rubbed agianst a porcelain plate
luster
the way the surface of a mineral reflects light
inorganic
not derived from living matter
crystal
a solid formation that follows a pattern.
hardness
the ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched by another mineral.
cleavage
the tendency of crystals and minerals to break along definite planes resulting in smooth surfaces.
facture
the appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has a rough or irregular surface.
mohs hardness scale
a hardness scale used to classify minerals.
formula
a set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound.