Physical Properties of Minerals Review

Front

What is the softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale?

Back

Talc is the softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Front

What can scratch Talc?

Back

Gypsum, Diamond, and Quartz can all scratch Talc.

Front

What is the definition of density?

Back

Density is the amount of matter in a given space.

Front

What is the least useful property when identifying minerals?

Back

Color is the least useful property when identifying minerals.

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a crystalline structure.

Front

What is the Mohs Hardness Scale?

Back

The Mohs Hardness Scale is a scale that ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch one another.

Front

What property of minerals describes how light reflects off their surface?

Back

Luster describes how light reflects off the surface of a mineral.

Front

What is cleavage in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.

Front

What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?

Back

A mineral is a single substance, while a rock is a combination of one or more minerals.

Front

What is streak in mineral identification?

Back

Streak is the color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a surface.