Minerals vocabulary Flashcards
Mineral
A substance that is formed naturally in the earth, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure.
Streak
The color of a mineral’s powder when it is rubbed against a porcelain plate.
luster
The was the surface of a mineral reflects light.
inorganic
not derived from living matter
Crystal
A solid formation that follows a pattern.
Hardness
the ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched by another mineral.
Cleavage
The tendency of crystals and minerals to break along definite planes resulting in smooth surfaces.
fracture
The appearance of a broken surface on minerals that has a rough or irregular surface.
Mohs Hardness Scale
A hardness scale used to classify minerals.
Formula
A set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound.
