rocks and minerals Flashcards
mineral
a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties.
Rock
he solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth and other similar planets, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil or oceans.
Element
a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler components by any non-nuclear chemical reaction.
compound
a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.
Crystal
a piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces.
color
an inorganic pigment usually of natural origin.
luster
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface.
streak
the color of a mineral in its powdered form
Cleavage
a sharp division; a split.
Fracture
the property of a mineral breaking in a more or less random pattern with no smooth planar surfaces.
Density
Density is the substance’s mass per unit of volume. The symbol most often used for density is ρ although the Latin letter D can also be used.
Ore
a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.
Metallic minerals
minerals which contain one or more metallic elements.
Non-metallic minerals
Such materials lack metallic characteristics like good electric and thermic conductivity, luster, rigor, and malleability; they are, however, essential for many industries.
Gemstones
any of the various minerals highly prized for beauty, durability, and rarity.
