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 minerals powder when it is rubbed against porcelain plate.
Luster
The way surface mineral reflects light.
Inorganic
Not derived from living matter
Crystal
A solid formation that follows a pattern.
Cleavage
The tendency of crytstals and minerals to break along definite planes resulting in smooth surfaces.
Fracture
The appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has rough or irregular.
Mohs hardness scale
A hardness scale used to classify minerals.
Hardness
The ability of a mineral to be scratched or be scratched by another mineral.
Formula
A set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound.
