Minerals and rocks Flashcards
(17 cards)
Mineral
A solid inorganic substance
Rock
A naturally occuring solid mixture of 1 or more minerals or organic matter
Element
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler elements by chemical means
Compound
A substance made up of atoms of 2 or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
Crystal
A solid whose atoms, ions or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
Luster
the way which a mineral reflects light
Streak
The color of the powder from the mineral
Cleavage
The splitting of a mineral along smooth flat surfaces
Fracture
The manner in which a mineral breaks along curved or irregular surfaces
Density
The ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of a substance
Ore
a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.
Metallic Mineral
Metallic minerals are minerals which contain one or more metallic elements
Non Metallic Minerals
Non-metallic mineral reserves consist of stone quarries and clay and sand pits; chemical and fertiliser mineral deposits; salt deposits; deposits of quartz, gypsum, natural gem stones, asphalt and bitumen, peat and other non-metallic minerals other than coal and petroleum.
Gemstone
a precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry
Igneous rock
Igneous rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are types of rock that are formed by the deposition and subsequent cementation of mineral or organic particles on the floor of oceans or other bodies of water at the Earth’s surface.
Metamorphic Rock
A metamorphic rock is a type of rock which has been changed by extreme heat and pressure
