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.
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.
