Properties of Minerals

Characteristics that can be observed or measured.

• physical properties
• density
• luster
• breakage

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Color of a mineral in powdered form.

• hardness
• streak
• breakage
• density

A shiny material is described as having a __________________ luster

• metallic
• nonmetallic

A dull material is described as having a __________________ luster.

• metallic
• nonmetallic

_________________ is the tendency of a mineral to break along a flat surface.

• Cleavage
• Fracture

__________________ is the tendency of a mineral to break apart in an irregular surfaces.

• Cleavage

• Fracture

Moh’s scale of hardness ranks minerals from 1 which is the _______________ to 10 which is the ________________.

• softest, hardest
• hardest, softest

________________ is the softest mineral.

• Talc
• Diamond

________________ is the hardest mineral.

• Talc
• Diamond

What are 3 characteristics that minerals must have ?

• living substance

• non-living substance

• solid, organic substance

• must be naturally formed, inorganic, solid