Mineral Identification Exam 1 Prep

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Questions and Answers

Cleavage and fracture are synonyms, meaning they both describe how a mineral breaks.

False (B)

What type of breakage does calcite exhibit?

  • No fracture
  • Cleavage (correct)
  • Conchoidal fracture
  • Cubic fracture

Quartz shows a ______ fracture when broken.

conchoidal

Explain the main difference between cleavage and fracture.

<p>Cleavage refers to a mineral's tendency to break along specific planes due to its weaker bonds, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces. Fracture, on the other hand, describes uneven or irregular breaking, with no consistent pattern.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following mineral properties with their descriptions:

<p>Cleavage = The way a mineral breaks along specific planes due to its weaker bonds Fracture = The way a mineral breaks irregularly or unevenly Conchoidal fracture = A curved, shell-like fracture found in minerals like quartz</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral exhibits a cubic cleavage?

<p>Halite (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term "habit" refers to the characteristic external shape of a mineral.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the cleavage pattern where two cleavage planes intersect at 90 degrees?

<p>Pinacoidal</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mineral ____ is an example of a mineral that exhibits a rhombohedral cleavage.

<p>Calcite</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following mineral habits with their descriptions:

<p>Dipyramidal = Two pyramids joined at their bases Cubic = Six equal square faces Bladed = Flat and thin, like a blade Tabular = Flat and plate-like Druzy = Covered with small crystals Acicular = Needle-like Dendritic = Branching, tree-like Radial = Crystals radiating out from a central point Fibrous = Long, thin fibers Prismatic = Elongated, prism-shaped Botryoidal = Round, grape-like clusters Stalactitic = Icicle-like Oolitic = Small, round grains Pisolitic = Larger, rounded grains Foliated = Sheet-like layers</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

Cleavage

Ordered breakage of a mineral along specific planes due to weaker bonds.

Fracture

Unordered breaking of a mineral without any specific pattern or direction.

Calcite Cleavage

Calcite exhibits 3 planes of cleavage, not at 90 degrees, when broken.

Quartz Fracture

Quartz fractures conchoidally, meaning it creates smooth, curved surfaces.

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Difference between Cleavage and Fracture

Cleavage is orderly and structured; fracture is random and chaotic in breaking.

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Types of Cleavage

Different patterns of how minerals break; includes basal, prismatic, cubic, and more.

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Basal Cleavage

A single direction of cleavage, example is Muscovite.

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Cubic Cleavage

Three directions of cleavage at 90 degrees, example is Halite.

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Prismatic Cleavage

Two directions of cleavage not at 90 degrees, example is Hornblende.

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Rhombohedral Cleavage

Three directions of cleavage not at 90 degrees, example is Calcite.

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Foliated Habit

Layered appearance of minerals, like in schist or slate.

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Fibrous Habit

Minerals that appear in thin, thread-like structures.

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Botryoidal Habit

Minerals that form in rounded, grape-like clusters.

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Druzy Habit

Minerals that show a coating of tiny crystals on a surface.

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Labradorescence

Optical effect seen in some feldspars, displaying colorful flashes.

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Study Notes

Mineral Identification Exam 1 Prep

  • Cleavage vs. Fracture:

    • Cleavage: Ordered breakage along specific planes due to weaker bonds. Think structured.
    • Fracture: Unordered breaking, like a demolition.

  • Cleavage Example (Calcite):

    • When broken, calcite shows 3 cleavage planes not at 90 degrees.

  • Fracture Example (Quartz):

    • When broken, quartz fractures conchoidally, not along planes.

  • Types of Cleavage:

    • 1 Direction: Basal (muscovite)
    • 2 Directions at 90: Pinacoidal (feldspars)
    • 2 Directions not at 90: Prismatic (hornblende)
    • 3 Directions at 90: Cubic (halite)
    • 3 Directions not at 90: Rhombohedral (calcite)
    • 4 Directions: Octahedral (fluorite)

Crystal Habits

  • Various forms and combinations
    • Pyramidal, Twinned, Acicular, Cube, Bladed, Botryoidal,
    • Tabular, Dipyramidal, EQUANT, Tetrahedron, Dodecahedron,
  • Pyritohedron, Dendritic, Rhombohedron, Prismatic, Radial, Fibrous,
  • Scalenohedral, Dipyramid prismatic

Visual Guide for Habits

  • Examples of mineral habits (dipyramidal, cubic, bladed, tabular, druzy, acicular, dendritic, radial, fibrous, prismatic, botryoidal, stalactitic, oolitic, pisolitic, foliated)
    • Images are included to illustrate each habit.

Key Reminders for Quick Mineral Identification

  • Non-Metallic:

    • Test under acid
    • Test hardness
    • Test streak
    • Check cleavage/fracture
    • Look at habit
    • Look at luster
    • Look for associated minerals

  • Feldspar:

    • If white/associated with Low Bowen's:Albite
    • If orange streak : Oligoclase
    • If labradorescence: Labradorite
    • If yellow, translucent: Bytownite
    • If grey/dark associated with Bowen's: Anorthite

  • Metallic:

    • Check for magnetism
    • Test hardness
    • Test streak
    • Check cleavage/fracture
    • Look at oxidation color
    • Look at habit
    • Look for associated minerals

  • Mica/Mica-like:

    • Color variations (pink, black, bronze)
    • Crystal form (large, transparent, small books, etc)
    • Color (silvery/green for chlorite, etc)

  • Rules of Thumb:

    • Carbonate reactions (fizz)
    • Talc (soapy)
    • Kaolin (chalky)
    • Cuprite (coating steel)
    • Halite (salty)
    • Lazurite (only with pyrite)

  • Study: Bowen's Reaction Series, Mohs Hardness Scale, Mineral Streaks.

  • Review: Lab exercises and quizzes.

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Related Documents

Mineral Identification Prep for Exam 1 MNE 210 PDF

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