Name one type of mineral that uses the Moh's Hardness Scale
What is hardness?
This characteristic of a mineral means that minerals are formed from materials that were not a part of living things
Inorganic
A substance composed of a single element
What is a native mineral?
This is used to rank the hardness of minerals using a ranking system from 1 to 10
What is the Mohs hardness scale?
What compound mineral family is made of oxygen and at least one other mineral, typically a metal?
Oxide
The color of a minerals powder is called this
What is streak?
This characteristic of a mineral means that a mineral always contains certain elements in definite proportions. (Ex. Quartz always contains 1 atom of silicon for every 2 atoms of oxygen.)
What is definite chemical composition?
The color of a mineral’s _____ is always the same even though the color of the mineral itself may vary.
What is streak?
The two main types of luster for minerals
Metallic and Non-metallic
What compound mineral family is made up of sulfur and one or more metals?
Sulfides
For us to use and enjoy!
A mineral that splits easily along flat surfaces has this property, which is uncommon for minerals
(ex. Mica)
What is cleavage?
The official name of a geologist who specializes in minerals
A mineralogist
The term for when a mineral breaks in uneven and inconsistent ways
What is fracture
What compound mineral family contains one or more metal ions and a carbonate ion?
Carbonates
To be classified as a mineral, the substance must satisfy this number of requirements
What is 5?
What compound mineral family is made up mostly of silicon and oxygen?
Silicate
Are rocks and minerals the same thing?
Nope
Geologists identify minerals by examining their _____; such as, streak, crystal structure, hardness, density, cleavage and fracture.
What is “physical properties”?
A compound mineral family that is made up of mineral salt
Halides
The characteristics of minerals are that 1) it is naturally occurring, 2) it is a solid, 3) it has a crystal structure, 4) it has a definite chemical composition and 5) ?
What are the five criteria that a substance has to meet in order for it to be considered a mineral?
Name 3 compound mineral families.
The amount and quality of light that a mineral reflects from its surface
What is luster?
The two terms that describe how a mineral breaks
What are cleavage and fracture?
Name all five compound mineral families
What are halides, sulfides, silicates, carbonates, and oxides