Mineral Identification Flashcard 1

Front

What does it mean if something is composed of inorganic compounds?

Back

It means it's non-living.

Front

True or False: Minerals are naturally formed.

Back

True.

Front

What property of a mineral is described by the color of the streak across a streak plate?

Back

Streak.

Front

What does the Mohs Scale help to identify in a mineral?

Back

Hardness.

Front

What does metallic or non-metallic describe in a mineral?

Back

Luster.

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is luster in terms of minerals?

Back

Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces, while fracture is the way a mineral breaks in an irregular manner.

Front

What is the significance of the streak test in mineral identification?

Back

The streak test helps to determine the color of a mineral in powdered form, which can be more consistent than the color of the mineral itself.

Front

What is the definition of hardness in minerals?

Back

Hardness is a measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching.