Minerals

Question 0

Element

Answer 0

A substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Question 1

Mineral

Answer 1

A naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite chemical structure.

Question 2

Compound

Answer 2

A substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds.

Question 3

Crystal

Answer 3

A solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern.

Question 4

Silicate Mineral

Answer 4

A mineral that contains a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals.

Question 5

Nonsilicate Mineral

Answer 5

A mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen.

Question 6

Streak

Answer 6

The color of the powder from a mineral.

Question 7

Cleavage

Answer 7

The splitting of a mineral along smooth flat surfaces.

Question 8

Fracture

Answer 8

The manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces.

Question 9

Hardness

Answer 9

A measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching.

Question 10

Density

Answer 10

The ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance.