Characteristics of Minerals
Identifying Minerals
Formation of Minerals
Uses of Minerals
True or False?
If F, correct
100
The repeating pattern of a mineral's particles forms a solid called a(n) __________________.
crystal
100
A scratch test is used to determine what property of minerals?
hardness
100
Magma that cools very slowly deep beneath the surface forms minerals what size of crystals?
large
100
The name for a mineral that is highly prized and rare.
What is a gem?
100

The second-hardest mineral on Mohs scale is corundum?

What is True- DIAMOND is the hardest - 10.
Corundum, though very hard at 9, is not as hard as diamond, but it IS 2nd hardest.

200
A mineral does not contain particles from living things, which means it is ___________.
inorganic
200
The color of a mineral's powder is called its ____________.
streak
200
Lava on the surface of Earth cools very quickly to form what size of crystals?
small
200

A purple gemstone which is a mineral variety of quartz.

What is an amethyst?

200
All silicates must contain oxygen and silicon?
What is TRUE?
300
A mineral is a __________, which means they have a definite volume and shape.
solid
300
The term used to describe how light is reflected from a mineral's surface is what?
luster
300

The process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with a crystal structure is called what?

crystalization

300
A mineral or rock that contains a useful substance that is mined for profit.
What is an ore?
300
The most abundant element in the Earth's crust is carbon.
What is FALSE...the most abundant element is Oxygen.
400
Minerals are _____________________, which means they form by processes in the natural world.
naturally occuring
400
This scale lists minerals in order from softest to hardest.
The Moh's Hardness Scale
400
Along with lava, ___________ can cool and harden to form minerals with crystals.
magma
400

The aluminum oxide ore used to refine molten aluminum.

What is bauxite?

400

Strong bonds within the structures of mica and halite allow them to be broken along smooth, flat cleavage planes.

What is FALSE...mica and halite have WEAK bonds that allow for perfect cleavage.  The bonds in the horizontal plane are strong, but those between layers are weak.

500
All minerals have a _____________________, which means they contain certain chemicals in definite proportions.
definite chemical composition
500
This property of minerals describes how it looks when it breaks apart in an irregular, rough way.
fracture
500
A crystal shape that is 6-sided.
hexagonal
500

How are fossils formed?

Fossils form when an organism's remains are rapidly buried in sediment, preventing decomposition, and then replaced by minerals over millions of years, or sometimes other processes like compression or encasement in amber. These remains are protected from scavenging and physical breakdown, allowing groundwater to fill pores with minerals and turn them into stone, eventually becoming part of the rock record and preserving details of the ancient organism.

500

Halite crystals are formed by evaporation of salt water.

What is TRUE... a good example of halite formation is found at Death Valley, California.

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