Mineral vocab Flashcards
Mineral
A substance that is formed naturally in the earth, is inorganic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure
Streak
The color of a minerals powder when it is rubbed against a porcelain plate.
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
Fracture
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
Luster
The way the surface of a mineral reflects light
inorganic
Not derived from living matter
