Rocks and minerals practice Flashcards
(10 cards)
mineral
a substance that is formed naturally in the earth, in inorganic, has a definite chemical composition and has a crystal structure
streak
the color of a minerals 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
a ability of a mineral to scratch or be scratched by another mineral
cleavage
the tendency of crystals and minerals to break along definite plans 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 chemical compound