rocks and minerals Flashcards
mineral
a substance that is formed naturally in the earth, is organic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure.
streak
the color of a mineral’s powder when it is rubbed against a porcelain plate.
luster
the way the surface of mineral reflects light.
inorganic
not derived from living water.
crystal
a solid formation that follow’s a pattern
hardness
is the ability to scratch or be scratched by another mineral.
cleavage
the tendency of crystals and minerals to break along defiant planes resulting in smooth surfaces.
fracture
the appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has a rough or irregular surface.
mohs hardness scale
a hardness scale used to classify materials.