Minerals Flashcards
Minerals
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’s light.
Inorganic
Not derived from living matter.
Crystal
A solid formation that follows a pattern.
Hardness
The ability of an mineral to scratch or to be scratch 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 surface or irregular surface.
Mohs hardness scale
A hardness scale used to classify minerals.
Formula
A set of Chemical symbols showing the makeup of chemical compound.
