mineral vocab

Question 1

formula

Answer 1

a set of chemical symbols showing the make up of a chemical compound

Question 2

mineral

Answer 2

a substance that is formed naturally in the earth, is organic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure.

Question 3

streak

Answer 3

the color of a minerals powder when it is rubbed against a porcelain plate

Question 4

luster

Answer 4

the way the surface of a mineral reflects light.

Question 5

inorganic

Answer 5

not derived from living matter

Question 6

crystal

Answer 6

a solid formation that follows a pattern

Question 7

hardness

Answer 7

the ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched by another mineral.

Question 8

cleavage

Answer 8

the tendency of crystals and minerals to break along definitive planes resulting in smooth surfaces.

Question 9

fracture

Answer 9

the appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has a rough or irregular surface.

Question 10

mohs hardness scale

Answer 10

a hardness scale used to classify minerals