Mineral Basics
What is a mineral?
A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure.
What property describes how light reflects from a mineral’s surface?
Luster
What tool is often used to test hardness?
A fingernail, penny, or steel nail.
What mineral is used to make table salt?
Halite
What is the hardest mineral on Earth?
Diamond
True or False: All minerals are made by humans.
False. Minerals are naturally occurring.
What property describes how easily a mineral can be scratched?
Hardness
What does it mean if a mineral has a metallic luster?
It shines like metal.
What mineral is used in pencils?
Graphite
What is the softest mineral on Earth?
Talc
What is the smallest unit that makes up a mineral?
Atom or ions
What scale measures hardness?
Mohs Hardness Scale
If a mineral leaves no streak, what does that tell you?
It is harder than a streak plate
What mineral is used in jewelry and is yellow?
Gold
What mineral can be magnetic?
Magnetite
How many minerals were in our identification lab?
9
What property describes the color of a mineral’s powder?
Streak
What property can be used to tell sulfur apart from other minerals?
It smells like rotton eggs
What kinds of minerals are mined for profit?
Ore
What mineral glows under ultraviolet light?
Flourite
Name the four characteristics required to be a mineral.
Naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, definite composition, and crystal structure.
What is cleavage?
When a mineral breaks along smooth, flat surfaces.
Why isn’t color a reliable way to identify a mineral?
Many minerals come in different colors or share the same color.
What mineral is the main source of aluminum?
Bauxite.
Which mineral is known as 'fool’s gold'?
Pyrite