Miseral Basics
What is an inorganic, solid material found in nature?
A mineral
Which luster looks shiny like glass?
Vitreous
What is the most obvious physical feature of a mineral?
Color
What property measures a mineral’s resistance to scratching?
Hardness
What happens when a mineral reacts with an acid like HCl?
Effervescence (fizzing)
Which property describes how light reflects off a mineral’s surface?
Luster
Which luster is not at all shiny?
Dull
Why is color not the most reliable way to identify a mineral?
Many minerals come in many colors
What scale is used to compare hardness from 1 to 10?
Mohs Scale of Hardness
What property makes minerals glow under ultraviolet light?
Fluorescence
What type of luster looks like shiny, polished metal?
Metallic luster
Which luster looks fibrous like shiny silk cloth?
Silky
What is the color of a mineral in powdered form called?
Streak
On the Mohs scale, what number represents the hardest mineral?
10
What property compares the weight of a mineral to water?
Specific Gravity
What is the opposite of metallic luster?
Nonmetallic luster
Which luster resembles dried candle wax?
Waxy
What test is used to determine the streak of a mineral?
Streak test
When a mineral breaks along smooth, flat surfaces, what is that called?
Cleavage
What property shows how easily a mineral reacts to acid?
Effervescence
Give an example of a nonmetallic luster type.
Vitreous, dull, greasy, silky, or waxy
Which luster looks like it has a thin layer of oil or grease on it?
Greasy
What tool is used in a streak test?
An unglazed porcelain plate (streak plate)
When a mineral breaks into irregular shapes with rough edges, what is that called?
Fracture
Name two special properties that can help identify minerals.
Fluorescence, effervescence, or specific gravity