MINERAL VOCABULARY Flashcards
Mineral
A substance that is formed naturally in the Earth, is inorganic, 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 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.
