Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the difference between fluorescence and phosphorescence in minerals?
What is the difference between fluorescence and phosphorescence in minerals?
Which property of a mineral is considered more reliable for identification than the mineral's external color?
Which property of a mineral is considered more reliable for identification than the mineral's external color?
Which of the following is NOT a recognized mineral habit?
Which of the following is NOT a recognized mineral habit?
What is the primary reason most minerals do not possess noticeable odors in their natural state?
What is the primary reason most minerals do not possess noticeable odors in their natural state?
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Which mineral property is characterized by the ability to conduct electricity or not?
Which mineral property is characterized by the ability to conduct electricity or not?
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What type of habit describes a mineral that forms long, threadlike crystals?
What type of habit describes a mineral that forms long, threadlike crystals?
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Which of the following minerals is known for having good electrical conductivity?
Which of the following minerals is known for having good electrical conductivity?
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Which statement about mineral properties is accurate?
Which statement about mineral properties is accurate?
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Study Notes
Physical Properties of Minerals
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Luminescence: Minerals exhibit luminescence when absorbing electromagnetic radiation (like UV light) and re-emitting light at a different wavelength. Fluorescence (light during illumination) and phosphorescence (light after illumination) are types of luminescence. Different minerals show different luminescence colors and intensities due to their composition and structure.
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Streak: Streak is the color of a mineral's powder when scratched on an unglazed porcelain plate. It can be the same or different from the mineral's external color. Streak is consistent for a given mineral, regardless of variations in crystal size or color. It aids in mineral identification.
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Habit: Mineral habit describes the general shape of a mineral crystal or cluster. It varies with formation conditions. Common habits include:
- Crystalline: Well-formed, regular geometric shapes (e.g., cubes, prisms, octahedrons).
- Massive: No discernible crystal shape; the mineral is compact, blocky, or granular.
- Fibrous: Long, thread-like crystals.
- Acicular: Needle-like crystals.
- Columnar: Pillar-like crystals.
- Granular: Small, interlocking crystals or grains.
Odour
- Minerals usually have no significant or noticeable odor in their natural state. This is because minerals are largely inorganic and not typically associated with volatile compounds creating smells.
Electrical Properties
- Some minerals exhibit electrical conductivity, a measure of how easily electric current flows. This depends on the mineral's structure and chemistry. Minerals with free-moving ions or electrons tend to be conductive. Examples include graphite (good conductor) and various sulfides (variable conductivity).
- Other minerals are insulators, not easily conducting electricity. Many oxides and carbonates are insulators.
- Electrical conductivity differs from piezoelectric or pyroelectric properties. These involve electricity generated by mechanical stress (piezoelectricity) or temperature change (pyroelectricity), but not a constant current flow.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the physical properties of minerals, including luminescence, streak, and habit. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of how these properties aid in mineral identification and classification.
