rock and mineral vocab Flashcards
mineral
a naturally formed inorganic solid that has a definite chemical structure
rock
a naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals or organic matter
element
a substance that cannot be separated or broken down in simpler substances by chemical means
compound
a substance made up of atoms of two or more different element joined by chemical
crystal
a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
color
usually 1st characteristic noticed about a mineral, but generally not reliable
luster
the way in which a mineral reflects light
streak
the color of powder of a mineral
cleavage
the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surfaces
fracture
the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
density
the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance
ore
a natural material whose concentration of economically valuable minerals in high enough for the materials to be mined profitably
metallic minerals
have shiny surfaces, do not let light pass through them
non-metallic minerals
have shiny or dull surfaces, may let light pass through them
gemstones
a non-metallic precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry
