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All about Minerals
Minerals
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Mineral | a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite structure and composition. |
inorganic | aren't alive, never were alive, and are not made by life processes. |
solid | has a definite volume and shape. |
crystal | a solid in which the atoms are arranged in repeating patterns. |
Formation of Minerals | 1) if a solution becomes saturated or filled with another substance. 2) from minerals dissolved in liquids. 3) from the cooling of hot melted rock material, called magma. |
Friedrich Mohs | a German scientist who developed the Mohs Scale of hardness. (lists hardness of 10 minerals with 1 being the softest and 10 the hardest). |
Luster | physical property of a mineral that describes how light is reflected from its surface. Is defined as either metallic or nonmetallic. |
Metallic | always shine like metal. |
Nonmetallic | don't shine like metal. |
Color | usually isn't enough alone to identify a mineral. |
Streak | color of a mineral when it is powedered; usually observed by rubbing the mineral on a ceramic streak plate. |
Silicates | minerals that contain silicon and oxygen and usually one or more other elements. |
Rock Salt | real name is halite and has a cubic crystal shape. |
Hardness | a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched. |
Talc | is the softest mineral and can be scratched with your fingernail. |
Diamond | hardest mineral and it can only be scratched by another diamond. |
Cleavage | physical property of a mineral that causes it to break along smooth, flat surfaces. |
Mica | has a perfect cleavage. |
Fracture | physical property of a mineral that causes it to break with rough or jagged edges. |
Quartz | has fracture. has atoms arranged in repeating patterns, but you can't see the crystal structure on the outside of the mineral. |
Magnetite | attracted to magnets. |
Calcite | fizzes when hydrochloric acid is put on it. causes you to see a double image. |
Gem | a valuable mineral highly prized because it is rare and beautiful. |
Ore | a mineral containing a useful substance such as a metal that can be mined at a profit. |
Titanium | durable, lightweight metal derived from minerals such as ilmenite or rutile. |