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 minerals 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 the mineral to 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 that make up a chemical compound.
