Unit 3, quiz1 Flashcards
precious, rare, or valuable mineral
gem
having a uniform structure or composition
homogeneous
formed from non-living materials
inorganic
solid, inorganic substance with a crystalline structure
mineral
mineral from which valuable material is extracted
ore
What are the 5 classifications for a mineral
It must be natural
Inorganic
Crystal structure
must be solid
homogeneous structure
What means same ratio of elements.
homogeneous
6 different crystal systems
blocks or cubes (example: salt)
isometric
6 different crystal systems
four-sided prisms and double pyramids (example: zircon)
tetragonal
6 different crystal systems
six-sided prisms (example: beryl)
hexagonal
6 different crystal systems
short, stubby crystals with all sides unequal (example: topaz)
orthorhombic
6 different crystal systems
short and stubby, but the sides tilt at each end, like a skewed tetragonal crystal (example: gypsum)
monoclinic
6 different crystal systems
flat with sharp edges, but do not have any right angles (example: feldspar)
triclinic
Chemical Composition
largest class
silicates
Chemical Composition
found in caves
carbonates
Chemical Composition
contain sulfurs
sulfides
Chemical Composition
contain oxygen
oxides
How are gems different from regular minerals?
Gems are rarer than regular minerals.
How are precious metals similar to gems?
Both are rare and durable.
Minerals can be elements or compounds. T/F
True
how a crystal breaks or splits when stressed
cleavage
how a mineral appears to reflect light
luster
the true color of a mineral in powdered form
streak
caused by the chemicals in a mineral
Color
Brian stresses a mineral. It breaks cleanly and evenly, leaving a smooth surface. The cleavage can be described as _____.
perfect
Luster Types:
opaque and reflective
metallic
Luster Types:
reflective, like glass
glassy
Luster Types:
** little to no reflection**
dull
way light reflects from a mineral
luster
way a mineral breaks under stress
cleavage
reveals true, natural color of a mineral
streak
least reliable property for identification
color
measured using the Mohs scale
hardness
