Mineral Properties

Front

What is the least reliable physical property for identifying a mineral?

Back

Color

Front

What term describes a mineral that did NOT come from something once living?

Back

Inorganic

Front

What percentage of the minerals found in the Earth's crust are silicates?

Back

90%

Front

What does it mean when atoms in a mineral line up in a repeating pattern?

Back

Crystal structure

Front

Which elements are found in silicate minerals?

Back

Silicon and oxygen

Front

What is the term for the way a mineral breaks along flat surfaces?

Back

Cleavage

Front

What is the term for the color of the powder a mineral leaves when scratched on a porcelain plate?

Back

Streak

Front

What is the scale used to measure the hardness of minerals?

Back

Mohs scale

Front

What is the term for a naturally occurring solid with a definite chemical composition?

Back

Mineral

Front

What type of mineral is primarily composed of silicon and oxygen?

Back

Silicate minerals