MINERALS- EarthSci Flashcards
What are the four characteristics of Minerals?
- Naturally Occurring
- Inorganic
- Elements or Compound with definite chemical composition
- Orderly Arrangement of Atoms
What is a Crystal?
It is a solid with atoms arranged in orderly repeating patterns.
What is magma?
A hot melted rock below the Earth’s surface.
When magma cools slowly, the crystals of the rock appear what?
Larger
When magma cools down quickly, the crystals of the rock appear what?
Smaller
What are two ways a crystal can form?
- Forms from Magma
- Forms from Solutions as water evaporates/ if too much substance is dissolved in water.
What are the properties that could help identify minerals?
- Color and Appearance
-Hardness
-Luster
-Streak
-Specific Gravity
-Cleavage, Fracture
-Magnetism
-Glow
Define “Hardness” property in a mineral.
It is how easily the mineral is scratched.
Define “Luster” property in a mineral.
The way a mineral reflects its light.
Define “Streak” property in a mineral.
The color of a mineral in powdered form when scratched on a streak plate.
Define “Specific Gravity” property in a mineral.
The ratio of a mineral’s weight to the weight of an equal volume of water.
What are the two ways a mineral can break?
Cleavage and Fracture
Define Cleavage and Fracture
Cleavage- Breaks along smooth, flat surfaces.
Fracture- Breaks with uneven, rough/jagged surfaces.
What are the “other” unique properties in identifying minerals?
Magnetism, Glow, Taste, Bubbling in acid
It is used to easily identify the hardness of a mineral.
Mohs Hardness Scale/ Mohs Scale
What are the two types of metal in minerals found under Luster?
Metallic and Non-metallic Luster
Define Metallic luster.
Metallic luster shines off like an ordinary metal that reflects light. It refers to minerals that are opaque, translucent, and have the appearance of polished metal.
Define Non-metallic luster.
Non-metallic luster refers to minerals which reflect light from its surface but does not shine like a metal.
Define a mineral.
An inorganic substance of natural occurrence.
Define what “inorganic” means in Minerals.
Inorganic minerals are naturally occurring substances that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and are not derived from living organisms.
