Mineral
a naturally occurring, inorganic solid
mineral
very noticeable characteristic but not reliable
color
minerals that contain silicon the second most abundant element in Earth's crust
Silicates
type of igneous rock formed from magma below the surface
intrusive igneous
formed from lava above the Earth's surface
solid in which the atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern
crystal
how a mineral feels to the touch
texture
minerals formed from CO3-2 with a metallic element
carbonates
the process where some elements remain a solid while others become a liquid
partial melting
light colored, high silica, and contain quartz, potassium and feldspar
granitic rock
what are the 2 ways (sources) that minerals are formed
magma and solutions
when a mineral splits easily along a flat plane
cleavage
minerals formed from oxygen and a metal
oxides
as magma cools and crystallizes, minerals form in predictable patterns
Bowen's reaction
dark colored, lower silica and contain pyroxene and plagioclase
Balsaltic
the way a mineral reflects light
luster
when a mineral breaks along an uneven plane
fracture
a useful mineral that can be mined for profit
ores
when magma crystalizes in reverse order of partial melting
fractional crystallization
relates to size, shape, and distribution of crystals
texture
a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched
hardness
a ratio of the mass compared to volume or an equal amount of water
specific gravity/ density
valuable minerals that are prized for their rarity and beauty
gem
characteristic of intrusive rocks
large crystal shape
characteristic of extrusive rock
smaller crystal size