Properties of Minerals | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

English 20 Public

Minerals have many physical properties that can help scientists identify them.

Study Slideshow

a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a distinct chemical composition and crystalline structure

mineral

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the color of a mineral in its powdered form, as shown when it is rubbed on a porcelain plate or unglazed tile

streak

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the way a mineral reflects light

luster

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a scale that ranks the relative hardness of minerals from 1 to 10

Mohs Hardness Scale

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a mineral's resistance to being scratched

hardness

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a naturally occurring solid material that is made up of one or more minerals and may contain organic matter

rock

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physical property of some minerals that cause them to break along smooth, flat surfaces

cleavage

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physical property of some minerals that causes them to break with uneven, rough, or jagged surfaces

fracture

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softest mineral (scale of 1)

talc

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hardest mineral (scale of 10)

diamond

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As the numbers on the Mohs Hardness Scale increase, the hardness of the mineral _______________.

increases

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As the numbers on the Mohs Hardness Scale decrease, the hardness of the mineral _______________.

decreases

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If a steel file has a hardness of 6.5, it will scratch any mineral with a hardness _________

below 6.5

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Which crystal comes in many colors, including clear, white (milky), grey (smoky), pink (rose), yellow (citrine), and purple (amethyst).

quartz

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the type of luster that looks like polished metal

metallic

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the type of luster that looks like glass

vitreous

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