Minerals Quiz Flashcards
Crystallography
Scientific study of the structure and symmetry of crystals
Crystal Faces
The planar, flat surfaces of a mineral grain that stopped growing when it was still in contact with gas or liquid.
Chemical properties
Some minerals react with dilute hydrochloric acid. Other minerals taste salty as a result of chemical reactions that take place on the surface of our tongues.
Physical properties
Determined by the mineral composition structure colour and the Lester of its surface.
Colour
Different colours are related to the impurities.
Streak
The colour of a fine green powder of a mineral is called a streak.
Luster
Appearance of a mineral surface in reflected light
Metallic minerals
Often subject to oxidation, tarnish, or other forms of chemical weathering that might alter their appearance
Thin sections
Carefully ground slices of minerals and rocks mounted on glass slides
Submetallic lustre
Elester that seems intermediate between metallic and nonmetallic. Might be affected by tarnish or oxidation like rust on steel
Vitreous
Resembles the lustre or sheen of glass
Resinous
Resembles a resin like Amber or dried Tree sap
Silky
A silk like reflection of light from thin parallel mineral fiber’s
Pearly
Resembles lustre of a pearl
Earthy
Lacking reflection like dry soil (dull)
Waxy
Resembles wax
Satin
Resemble Sat and cloth
Greasy
Looks like it’s covered in a thin film of oil or grease
Opaque minerals
Do not allow light to pass through them
Euhedral
Well developed Crystal faces. Only develop if Crystal is unrestricted as it grows in a gas or liquid
Subhedral
Mineral grains are partly bound by well formed crystals
Anhedral
Mineral grains grew into the space between existing solid mineral greens and have no apparent crystal faces on their grain boundaries
Cleavage
The tendency of some minerals to break Along flat, parallel surfaces
No cleavage
No broken parallel surfaces
One cleavage
Basal (book) Cleavage. Split apart along flat sheets
Two cleavage is intersect at or near 90°
Prismatic cleavage. Elongated forms that fracture a long short rectangular cross sections