Mineral Vocabulary Flashcards
Mineral
A substance that is formed naturally in the Earth, is an inorganic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure
Streak
The color of a mineral’s powder when it’s rubbed against a porcelain plate.
Luster
The way the surface of a mineral reflect light
Inorganic
Not derived from living matte
Crystal
A solid formation that follows a pattern.
Hardness
The ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched by another mineral
Cleavge
The tendency of crystals and minerals to break along definite panes resulting in smooth surfaces
Fracture
The appearance of a freshly broken surface on the 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.
Fault
Breaks in the crust. The movement causes seismic waves which produces earthquake
Mid-Ocean Ridge
A long ridge underwater volcanoes between two diverging oceanic plates
Subduction Zone
A place where one tectonic plate sinks under another and melts. Also forms strench
Rift Valley
A long narrow valley between two diverging continental plates
