Mineral Vocabulary Flashcards
Formula
a set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound
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.
