Properties of minerals

Front

What does it mean for a mineral to be inorganic?

Back

It means that the mineral was never part of anything living.

Front

Which mineral can Fluorite scratch?

Back

Fluorite can scratch Calcite.

Front

Which mineral can't be scratched by a fingernail but can be scratched by a penny?

Back

Calcite can't be scratched by a fingernail but can be scratched by a penny.

Front

Which minerals are harder than quartz?

Back

Topaz, Corundum, and Diamond are harder than quartz.

Front

True or False: Quartz can be scratched by Topaz.

Back

True.

Front

What is the Mohs scale?

Back

The Mohs scale is a scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale?

Back

Diamond is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale.

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 the significance of a mineral's hardness?

Back

A mineral's hardness determines its ability to scratch other materials and is used to identify minerals.