Rocks and minerals Flashcards
Mineral
a natural 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 into similar 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
is often first characteristic noticed, but not always a reliable way I.D. a mineral.
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 concentration of economically valuable minerals is high enough for the material to be mined profitably.
Metallic Minerals
Metallic minerals contain metal in raw form.Metallic minerals occur in rare, naturally formed concentrations known as mineral deposits.
Non-metallic minerals
reserves consist of stone quarries and clay and sand pits; chemical and fertiliser mineral deposits.
Gemstones
a precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry.
