Mineral vocabulary Flashcards
Formula
A set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound.
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 mineral’s powder when it is rubbed against 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.
fracture
The appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has rough or irregular surface.
mohs hardness test
a hardness scale used to classify minerals.
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