rocks and minerals Flashcards
Mineral
a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence.
Rock
Rocks are composed of grains of minerals, which are homogeneous solids formed from a chemical compound arranged in an orderly manner. [ page needed ] The aggregate minerals forming the rock are held together by chemical bonds.
Element
a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
Compound
a substance made up of atoms
Crystal
a solid whose atoms,atoms,ions or molecules are arranged in a different patterns
Color
usually 1st characteristic noticed about a mineral, but generally not reliable
Luster
the way in which a mineral reflects light
Streak
the color of powder of a mineral
Cleavage
the splitting of a mineral along smooth surfaces
Fracture
the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surface
Density
the ratio of the mass of of a substance
Ore
a natural material
Metallic minerals
j
Non-metallic minerals
b
Gemstones
m
