Rock and Minerals Flashcards
Mineral
a naturally formed,inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure.
Rock
A naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals or organic matter.
Element
a substance that can not be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
Compound
a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
Crystal
a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
Color
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
Luster
the way in which a mineral reflects light
Streak
the color of the 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 centration of economically valuable minerals is high enough for the material to be mined profitably
Metallic minerals
with a high specific gravity
Non-metallic minerals
reserves consist of stone quarries and clay and sand pits;
Gemstones
a precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry
Igneous rock
is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava
Sedimentary rock
that has formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, especially sediment transported by water
Metamorphic rock
has changed to another under the influence of heat
