Physical Properties of Minerals

Question 1

Diphaneity

Answer 1

Light-transmitting qualities of a mineral. Transparent, Translucent or Opaque

Question 2

Luster

Answer 2

General appearance of a mineral surface in reflected light. metallic or non-metallic

Question 3

Non-metallic

Answer 3

Resinous(oily/waxy) Vitreous(glassy) Earthy

Question 4

Streak

Answer 4

Color of the finely powdered mineral on unglazed porcelain plate ‘streak plate’.

Question 5

Allchromatic

Answer 5

Color is attributed to a trace element or minor element.

Question 6

Chromophores

Answer 6

Ions or groups of ions which produce color in transition metal.

Question 7

Luminescence

Answer 7

Results from material absorbing a form of energy and reemitting that energy as visible light.

Question 8

Fluorescent

Answer 8

Minerals emit light in visible spectrum during exposure to UV light, Xrays, or cathode rays.

Question 9

Phosphorescent

Answer 9

luminescence that continues after the exciting rays are cut off.

Question 10

Cleavage

Answer 10

Tendency of minerals to break along parallel lines.

Question 11

Perfect Cleavage

Answer 11

Breaks easily and the resulting surface is flat and reflects light.

Question 12

Good Cleavage

Answer 12

Surfaces are less continuous and may have some irregularities.

Question 13

Poor Cleavage

Answer 13

Surfaces are not well developed.

Question 14

Fair Cleavage

Answer 14

Reflects properties between poor and good.

Question 15

Parting

Answer 15

False Cleavage, mineral breaks along specific planes of structural weakness, but surfaces are not smooth and have discontinuities.

Question 16

Fracture

Answer 16

Conchoidal, Irregular/uneven, Hackly, Splintery

Question 17

Mohs Hardness Scale

Answer 17

Question 18

Tenacity

Answer 18

Question 19

Diagmagnetic

Answer 19

Minerals experience no attraction to magnetic field.

Question 20

Paragmagnetic

Answer 20

Minerals may be drawn to a magnetic field

Question 21

Ferromagnetic

Answer 21

Magnetically active minerals