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