Mineral Vocabulary 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 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; doesn’t contain carbon
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; opposite of fracture
Fracture
The appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has a rough or irregular surface; opposite of cleavage
Mohs Hardness Scale
A hardness scale used to classify minerals
Formula
A set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound
