Minerals and rocks Flashcards
Mineral
A solid inorganic substance
Rock
A naturally occuring solid mixture of 1 or more minerals or organic matter
Element
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler elements by chemical means
Compound
A substance made up of atoms of 2 or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
Crystal
A solid whose atoms, ions or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
Luster
the way which a mineral reflects light
Streak
The color of the powder from the mineral
Cleavage
The splitting of a mineral along smooth flat surfaces
Fracture
The manner in which a mineral breaks along curved or irregular surfaces
Density
The ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of a substance
Ore
a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.
Metallic Mineral
Metallic minerals are minerals which contain one or more metallic elements
Non Metallic Minerals
Non-metallic mineral reserves consist of stone quarries and clay and sand pits; chemical and fertiliser mineral deposits; salt deposits; deposits of quartz, gypsum, natural gem stones, asphalt and bitumen, peat and other non-metallic minerals other than coal and petroleum.
Gemstone
a precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry
Igneous rock
Igneous rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
