Science minerals flashcard (2)

Front

What is the term for a compound of oxygen and metal, such as hematite and magnetite?

Back

Oxides

Front

What do we call the unwanted rocks and minerals that are dug up along with valuable ore?

Back

Gangue

Front

What is the color streak of Hematite?

Back

Reddish-brown

Front

What is the basic building block of silicates that contains four oxygen atoms bonded to a centralized silicon atom?

Back

Silicon oxygen tetrahedron

Front

What is a chemical compound that contains sulfur and oxygen?

Back

Sulfate

Front

What is the definition of a mineral?

Back

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure.

Front

What are the two main types of minerals based on their composition?

Back

Silicate and non-silicate minerals.

Front

What is the significance of the Mohs scale in mineralogy?

Back

It is a scale used to measure the hardness of minerals.

Front

What is the process by which minerals form from cooling magma?

Back

Crystallization.

Front

What is the term for the way a mineral reflects light?

Back

Luster.