Rocks & Minerals Flashcards
What is a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid w/ a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition
What is a crystal?
A crystal is a solid with flat sides/faces that meet @ sharp edges/points
What is chemical composition?
Chemical composition is the ‘ingredients’ that make up a solid.
What are the properties used for identification?
The properties used for identification are crystal structure, special properties, streak, hardness, luster, and cleavage/fracture.
What are the special properties?
phosphorescence, fluorescence, magnetism, & reaction to acid
What is phosphorescence?
Phosphorescence is when a mineral absorbs light during the day and is able to glow in the dark at night when it slowly releases the light it took in.
What is fluorescence?
Fluorescence is when a mineral can glow under a ultraviolet light.
How does color help identify a mineral?
It is helpful sometimes, but not always because there can be multiple minerals with the same color and certain minerals can be multiple colors.
How does crystal structure help identify a mineral?
Crystal structure can be hard to determine. The easiest to identify are hexagonal and cubic crystal structures.
What is a geode?
round/oval rock with a hollow interior filled with mineral crystals
What is the rock cycle?
process of changing from rock type into another rock type
What are the rock types?
- igneous
- sedimentary
- metamorphic
What is igneous rock?
forms from magma/lava
What is sedimentary rock?
form from sediments (i.e. rocks, plants, animals) that often contain fossils
What are metamorphic rocks?
used to be another type of rock. usually unique in some way
