Minerals Flashcards
What is a crystalline structure?
A crystalline structure is a repeating pattern of a specific set of atoms in a mineral. Minerals can grow into large crystals because of their crystalline structure.
What is the definition of a mineral?
A mineral is a nonliving material found naturally on earth. Each mineral has a crystalline structure made up of a pattern of atoms. Minerals sometimes form large crystals.
What are the mineral properties?
Color Hardness (Mohs scale) Color streak Cleavage Acid reaction Luster
What is the scale used as a measure of hardness?
The Mohs scale made by Friedrich Mohs. Minerals with a higher number on the scale 1 - 10 mean that it is a harder mineral. Minerals with a higher number can scratch those with a a lower number on the scale of hardness but not vice versa.
An example of a mineral with 10 hardness is diamond. An example of a mineral with a hardness of 1 is talc.
What are the ways to describe the luster of a mineral?
- Transparent - light is able to be refracted and you can see through it
- Opaque - no light is reflected
- Translucent - light is only refracted
What are the four shapes of diamonds?
Tetrahedron - 4 sides
Cube - 6 sides
Octahedron - 8 sides
Rhombohedron - 6 sides
Is a diamond a mineral?
True or false?
True
What rock is diamond found in?
The rock called kimberlite.
How many types of common minerals are there?
30/2,000
Is it true that out of the 30/2,000 of minerals 90% of those are found in the earth’s crust?
True or false?
This is true
What is a synthetic diamond?
Something that is synthetic means that it is made in a laboratory. These are not fake though because they have the same crystalline structure and properties as natural diamonds.
Where are diamonds mined?
Diamonds are mined in Canada, Botswana, South America, Russia and Australia.
