Minerals Vocabulary Words Flashcards
Mineral
a substance that is formed naturally in the earth, is inorganic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure.
Streak
the color of mineral ´ s power when it is rubbed against a porcelain plate.
Luster
the way 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 result in smooth surfaces.
Fracture
the appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has a rough or an irregular surface.
Mohs Hardness Scale
a hardness scale to classify minerals.
Formula
a set of chemicals symbol showing the makeup of a chemical compound.
