rock and mineral Flashcards
a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite chemical structure
mineral
a naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals or organic matter
rock
a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
element
a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
compound
a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
crystal
the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light
color
the way in which a mineral reflects light
luster
the color of the powder of a mineral
streak
the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surfaces
cleavage
the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
fracture
the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance
density
a natural material whose concentration of economically valuable minerals is high enough for the material to be mined profitably
ore
Minerals with a high specific gravity and metallic luster, such as titanium, rutile, tungsten, uranium, tin, lead, iron
metallic minerals
Minerals are conveniently divided into metallic and nonmetallic groups, and then arranged in subdivisions according to the elements which form their main constituents
non-metallic minerals
a precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry
gemstones
