Minerals Flashcards
a solid
material, whose
atoms, molecules, or
ions are arranged in
an orderly
Crystal
a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid material that
consists of atoms that are arranged in a regular pattern and has characteristic chemical composition,
crystal structure, and physical properties.
Mineral
a mineral
consisting of only one
element.
Native-element
mineral
a substance
that cannot be
broken down into
simpler substances
by chemical means;
an element is
composed of atoms
with identical atomic
numbers.
Element
naturally
occurring collections
of mineral grains.
Rocks
a
collection of particles
of a material.
Aggregate
rocks that
contain valuable
minerals.
Ore
the smallest
unit of a chemical
element that has
all the element’s
properties; it
consists of a nucleus
surrounded by
electrons.
Atom
an atom with
one or more electrons
removed (or added),
giving it a positive
(or negative) charge.
Ion
a subatomic
particle with a
negative electric
charge, which orbits
around the nucleus
of the atom.
Electron
the
resistance of a
mineral to scratching.
Hardness
a
standard of 10
minerals by which the
hardness of a mineral
may be rated.
Moh’s Scale
the reflection
of light from the
surface of a mineral,
described by its
quality and intensity.
Luster
the color
of a mineral in its
powdered form,
usually obtained by
scratching the mineral
on a streak plate and
observing the mark it
leaves.
Streak
the
ratio of the weight
of a given volume of
a substance to the
weight of an equal
volume of water.
Specific Gravity
