Mineral Vocabulary 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’s 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.
