Minerals Vocab

Front

What is a mineral?

Back

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

Front

What term describes the chemical makeup of a mineral?

Back

Composition

Front

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a mineral?

Back

A mixture of things.

Front

What does the term 'composition' refer to in minerals?

Back

The chemical makeup of a mineral or rock.

Front

What is 'luster' in minerals?

Back

The way in which a mineral reflects light.

Front

What is the definition of 'inorganic' in the context of minerals?

Back

Substances that are not derived from living organisms.

Front

What is a 'crystalline structure'?

Back

A solid material whose constituents are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure.

Front

What is 'hardness' in minerals?

Back

A measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching.

Front

What is 'streak' in mineralogy?

Back

The color of a mineral in powdered form.

Front

What does 'cleavage' mean in relation to minerals?

Back

The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.