Minerals & Rocks Differences Flashcards
(10 cards)
Minerals
A substance that is formed naturally in the Earth, is inorganic has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal type structure
Streak
The color of a mineral’s powder when it is rubbed against a porcelain plate
Luster
The way the surface of a mineral reflects light
Inorganic
Not derived from living matter
Crystal
A solid formation that follows a pattern
Hardness
The ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched by another mineral
Cleavage
The tendency of crystals and minerals to break along define planes resulting in smooth surfaces
Fracture
The appearance of a freshly broken surface on a mineral that has a rough or irregular surface
- Mohs Hardness Scale -
A hardness scale used to classify minerals
Formula
A set of chemical symbols showing the makeup of a chemical compound
