Properties Of Mineralz Flashcards
NATURALLY OCCURING, INORGANIC solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition
Mineral
Must be formed by processes that occur in the natural world.
1sr characteristic of a mineral
Must be inorganic (can’t come from minerals that were once part of a living thing)
2nd characteristic of a mineral.
Has to be a solid - with definite shape and volume
3rd characteristic of a mineral
Partials that make it up line up in a REPEATING PATTERN which form a CRYSTAL
4th characteristic of a mineral
Had a DEFINITE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION or rang of compositions
5th characteristic of a mineral
Used to identify a few minerals that have their own characteristic coloring
Color
Color of minerals powder
Streak
How light is reflected from a minerals surface
Luster
Each mineral has a characteristic density. Formula?
Density = (d=m/v)
Using the MOHS HARDNESS SCALE, this scale ranks ten minerals from softest to hardest
Hardness / hardness scale
Crystals grow atom by atom to form a particular structure - these structures are grouped into 6 different categories based on the number and angle of the crystal faces
Crystal structure
If a mineral breaks easily along a flat surface
Cleavage
When a mineral breaks apart in an irregular way
Fracture
Special properties
Magnetism, glow
Rounded, hollow rock that is often lined with mineral crystals
Geode
Processed by which atoms are arranged to form a material eith a crystal structure
Crystallization
Crystallization of magma and lava (minerals form as hot magma cools)
1/2 ways minerals form
Crystallization of materials dissolved in water
2nd way minerals can form
Hard, colorful mineral that has a brilliant or glassy luster; once cut and polished it is called a gem
Gemstone
Minerals are the source of metals such as aluminum, iron, copper or silver
Metals
A rock that contains a metal or other useful minerals that can be mined and sold at profit.
Ore
