rocks and minerals Flashcards
Mineral
a natural occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition
Rock
a natural substance composed of solid crystals of different minerals that have been fused together into a solid lump
Element
substance that cannot be broken down into simpler format
Compound
a substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically combined together
Crystal
a solid material whose constituents such as atoms molecules or ions are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure
Color
usually 1st characteristic noticed about a mineral, but generally not reliable
Luster
the appearance of a mineral surface in terms of its light reflective qualities
Streak
the color of a mineral in its powdered form
Cleavage
the tendency of minerals to split along crystallographic planes as a result of structural locations of atoms and ions in the crystal
Fracture
appearance of a surface broken in directions other than along cleavage planes
Density
the mass of a substance per unit of volume
Ore
a deposit in earth’s crust of one or more minerals
Metallic minerals
minerals that contain one or more metallic elements
Non-metallic
minerals the minerals that contain no metals
Gemstones
a precious or semiprecious stone
Igneous rock
form when hot molten rock crystallizes and solidifies
Sedimentary rock
formed from pre existing rocks
Metamorphic rock
form when rocks are subjected to high heat and pressure
