Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the process of chipping off a piece of a mineral to test for cleavage?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of minerals with good or excellent cleavage?
What is the primary reason for observing the fracture of a mineral?
What is the primary purpose of measuring the specific gravity (S.G.) of a mineral?
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What is the best way to determine if a mineral exhibits cleavage?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a mineral with poor cleavage?
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What property of minerals describes how a crystal breaks when subject to stress on a particular plane?
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Which mineral property is used in lapidary work and is exemplified by diamond and its directional properties?
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What type of cleavage is characterized by discrete intervals along the twinned crystal?
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Which indicator of cleavage is described by the number of sides exhibiting cleavage?
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Which mineral property refers to the way a mineral breaks when put under stress?
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'Perfect,' 'Good,' 'Distinct,' and 'Poor' are terms used to describe different levels of which mineral property?
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In which direction is diamond much easier to saw and polish due to its directional-dependent hardness?
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What does cleavage refer to in relation to minerals?
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Which mineral property differentiates cleavage from fracture?
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What is the easiest direction to cleave or split a diamond?
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Which term describes a fracture in minerals that resembles a semicircular shell?
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What is the main difference between cleavage and fracture when it comes to mineral properties?
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Study Notes
Mineral Cleavage and Fracture Properties
- Cleavage is tested by chipping off a piece of a mineral to observe how it splits along specific planes.
- Minerals exhibiting good or excellent cleavage usually display smooth breakage along defined planes; poor cleavage lacks such distinct characteristics.
- Observing a mineral's fracture helps understand how it breaks under stress, revealing its internal structure and weaknesses.
- Specific gravity (S.G.) measurement determines a mineral's density, aiding in identification and differentiation from similar materials.
- To assess cleavage, the best method is to observe how the mineral breaks when struck or stressed, focusing on planar surfaces.
- Characteristics of poor cleavage include irregular breaks, lack of smooth surfaces, and unpredictability in shape.
- Cleavage refers to the preferred breaking planes of a mineral under stress, delineating how it separates cleanly along these surfaces.
- The directional property of minerals like diamond facilitates lapidary work, where specific cutting techniques are employed based on hardness variations in different directions.
- According to characteristics, cleavage can be evaluated at distinct intervals along twinned crystals, which exhibit complex geometrical forms.
- The number of sides showcasing cleavage describes the indicator of a mineral’s cleavage quality, impacting its overall appearance.
- Fracture refers to the manner in which minerals break when subjected to stress outside the defined cleavage planes.
- Terms like 'Perfect,' 'Good,' 'Distinct,' and 'Poor' classify minerals according to their cleavage properties, influencing their usage and desirability.
- Diamond is much easier to cut and polish in directions aligned with its cleavage planes due to its directional hardness, enhancing its gem quality.
- Cleavage in minerals refers to the ability to split along specific, smooth planes, distinguishing it from irregular fracture patterns.
- The key distinction between cleavage and fracture is the predictability of breakage: cleavage results in straight surfaces while fracture leads to uneven, random breaks.
- The easiest direction to cleave diamond corresponds with its natural cleavage planes, enabling precise cutting.
- A ‘conchoidal’ fracture describes a semi-circular shell-like break, often seen in brittle minerals without cleavage.
- The main difference between cleavage and fracture involves regularity versus randomness; cleavage is predictable along planes, while fracture is irregular and chaotic.
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Description
Learn how to use cleavage, parting, and fracture as identification marks for minerals. Explore how different types of cleavage and fracture habits can help in identifying minerals. Discover methods for testing minerals using cleavage, parting, and fracture.
