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.
hardness
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.
