Physical Properties of Minerals

A characteristic of a mineral that describes how it reflects light. Examples include metallic, glassy, or dull.

A mineral's ability to resist scratching. It's measured using the Mohs Hardness Scale.

The color of a mineral's powder when rubbed against a streak plate.

The way a mineral breaks. Smooth, flat surfaces are cleavage. Uneven breaks are fracture.

The ability to identify a mineral based on its physical properties, like color, luster, and hardness.

A tool used to determine the hardness of a mineral by comparing it to a series of 10 minerals.

A mineral's resistance to breaking or bending.

The natural arrangement of atoms within a mineral.

A mineral's natural, geometric shape, often formed by the arrangement of its atoms within a crystal.

A mineral's resistance to breaking or bending due to its internal structure.

The property of a mineral that describes how its internal structure can make it break along certain planes.

The difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals

A tool used to test a mineral's hardness.

Why color alone is not a reliable way to identify minerals

The process used to test a mineral's streak

Three physical properties used to identify a mineral.

The appearance of a mineral surface as it reflects light. It can be metallic, glassy, pearly, earthy, or dull.

How easily a mineral can be scratched. It is measured on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which ranges from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

The color of the mineral's powder, which can be different from the mineral’s overall color.

The way a mineral breaks - along flat, smooth surfaces (cleavage) or unevenly (fracture).

The study of minerals and their properties.

A naturally occurring, solid, inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure.

The process of identifying minerals based on their physical properties.

A scale used to determine the hardness of minerals. It ranges from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

The ability of a mineral to resist breaking or bending. It depends on its internal structure.

The internal structure of a mineral, which determines its crystal habit and other properties.

The natural shape of a mineral, often determined by its crystal structure. It can be cubic, prismatic, or irregular.

The way a mineral reacts to forces like bending or stretching.

The process of breaking a mineral along specific planes, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces.

The difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals.

Tools used to determine a mineral's hardness, such as a fingernail, a penny, a steel nail, or a piece of glass.

The colour of a mineral is not a reliable indicator of its identity because many minerals can have a wide range of colours due to impurities.

A test used to determine the colour of a mineral's powder by rubbing the mineral against a streak plate (a piece of unglazed porcelain).

Three physical properties used to identify a mineral, including color, luster, and hardness.