rock and minerals Flashcards
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid, with a definite chemical composition, and an ordered atomic arrangement.
Rock
a rock is a natural substance composed of solid crystals of different minerals that have been fused together into a solid lump.
Element
a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler components by any non-nuclear chemical reaction.
Compound
any substance composed of identical molecules consisting of atoms of two or more chemical elements.
Crystal
A crystal is a solid where the atoms form a periodic arrangement.
Color
the aspect of things that is caused by differing qualities of light being reflected or emitted by them.
Luster
a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface.
Streak
The color of the powder of the mineral.
Cleavage
a sharp division; a split.
Fracture
any separation in a geologic formation, such as a joint or a fault that divides the rock into two or more pieces.
Density
mass of a unit volume of a material substance.
Ore
a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.
Metallic minerals
minerals which contain one or more metallic elements.
Non-metallic minerals
`
a special group of chemical elements from which no new product can be generated if they are melted.
Gemstones
a precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry.
