Mineral Properties
What property describes the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral?
luster
Name one characteristic of igneous rocks
glassy, vesicular (gas pockets), crystals visible
small pieces of rock, can vary in size, includes sand, pebbles, cobbles, etc
sediments
Name a metamorphic rock
many answers- see reference table pg 7
bright yellow in color, distinct smell, soft
sulfur
Luster can be broken into these two categories
metallic and nonmetallic
Describe the process of forming an igneous rock
cooling and solidification
What process causes sediments to form
weathering and erosion
Describe the process necessary to form a metamorphic rock
heat and pressure
The hardest mineral
Diamond
Random patterns of breakage alone a mineral
fracture
This rock is known for its characteristic black color and glassy texture
obsidian
Name the processes that form sedimentary rocks
burial, deposition, compaction, cementation
Name a characteristic of metamorphic rocks
foliation, fused crystals, mica flakes ("fish scales"), etc
This mineral bubbles with HCl
calcite
The least reliable property in identifying minerals
color
This rock is light in color and has gas pockets as a result of a quick cooling process
pumice
Name on characteristic of sedimentary rocks
This mineral is almost always found in metamorphic rocks, gives the rock a "fish scale appearance"
mica
This mineral is colorless / yellow, and cleaves into thin sheets
Muscovite Mica
A mineral is dragged along a glass plate and leaves behind a scratch. What is it's hardness (give a range)
5.5-10
Name a mineral that is commonly found in igneous rocks (hint- look at RT pg 6)
quartz, feldspar, olivine, pyroxene, amphibole
Describe the process necessary for a granite to become a sandstone?
weathering and erosion, compaction and cementation
How are metamorphic crystals different from igneous crystals?
"fused" or smeared look, mica present
You have two minerals with a metallic luster that both scratch glass and both fracture. How could you differentiate bewteen them?
Color or whether or not they're magnetic