Minerals and Rocks Flashcards
the earth’s crust is made up of two things
rocks and minerals
are individual crystals
of the same stuff
minerals
are combinations of minerals
Rocks
naturally occurring aggregate of minerals
Rocks
each is unique
composed of elements
Minerals
Characteristics of minerals
*homogeneous solid
*inorganic substance
*orderly internal structure
*fixed chemical composition
*naturally occuring
is a mineral-like substance that does not demonstrate crystallinity
mineraloids
refers to how light is reflected from the surface of a mineral
luster
main types of luster
metallic and non metallic
looks like a metal
both shiny and opaque
metallic
looks like earth
completely opaque
dull
earthy
looks like glass
shiny and translucent to transparent
vitreous
looks like a paraffin
typically translucent but dull
waxy
looks like pearl/ inside of abalone shell
translucent and shiny
pearly
•is one of the most obvious properties of a mineral
•Is a result of the way minerals absorb light •but it is the least reliable means of identifying minerals
Color
•the color of the mineral in its powdered form
•may or may not be the same col as the mineral
•is obtained by scratching the mineral on an unpolished piece white porcelain called a streak plate
streak
is the tendency of a mineral to break along smooth planes parallel to zones of weak bonding.
cleavage
is the tendency of a mineral to break along curved surfaces without a definite shape.
fracture
Is the resistance of a mineral to scratching or abrasion by other materials.
hardness
a German geologist and mineralogist as well.
Friedrich Moh
scale used to measure the relative hardness of a mineral by its resistance to scratching
Moh Scale
Mohs Hardness Scale
Talc
Gypsum
Calcite
Flourite
Apatite
Potassium Feldspar
Quartz
Topaz
Corondum
Diamond
The extent of light that can pass through the mineral.
transparency
•measure of the density of mineral
•It determines how heavy the mineral is by its weight to water
Specific Gravity
•Is the level of resistance or reaction of minerals to stress
•It can tell if a mineral is brittle, malleable, elastic, etc.
Tenacity
The ability of a mineral to attract or repel other minerals.
magnetism
Is a distinct smell of a mineral that is usually released from a chemical reaction when subjected to water, heat , air, or friction.
odor
minerals, because of their definite chemical compositions, will react at certain conditions to different chemicals presented to them.
reaction to chemicals
some minerals when exposed to certain wavelengths of light, will glow or appear to release a certain light. This phenomena is known as
flourescence
Continues to glow even after the UV light has been removed
phosphorescence
•Looking through it, you see “double”
•Ex. Calcite
Double refraction
