Minerals Flashcards
(18 cards)
mineral
a naturally 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 simpler 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
the least useful way to identify a mineral. most occur in more than one color so there are better ways to identify them
luster
the way in which a mineral reflects light
streak
the color of the powder if a mineral
cleavage
the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surfaces
fracture
the manner in which a mineral breaks 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 os high enough for the material to be minded profitably
metallic minerals
minerals that contain one or more metallic element
non-metallic minerals
a group of chemical elements from which no new element can be created when they are melted
igneous rock
magnetic rock that is made through the cooling of magma or lava
sedimentary rock
rock that is formed by the accumulation of minerals at Earth’s surface
metamorphic rock
they arise from the transformation of existing rock types
gemstones
a piece of mineral crystal that is cut out and polished to become part of fine jewelry
