Properties of Minerals Chapter 2
Properties of Minerals Color Small amounts of different elements can give the same mineral different colors Sapphire, Quartz Streak Color of a mineral in its powdered form Luster Describes how light is reflected off a mineral
Properties of Minerals Crystal Form Visible expression of a mineral’s internal arrangement of atoms (How it’s shaped) Hexagonal Tetrahedron Cubic
Properties of Minerals Hardness Resistance of a mineral to being scratched Mohs Hardness Scale
Properties of Minerals Cleavage Tendency of a mineral to cleave, or break, along flat, even surfaces Mica has “perfect” cleavage since you can peel off layers. (Breaking bonds of Silicon and Oxygen) Fracture Uneven breaking of a mineral Density D=m/v D=density, m=mass, v=volume Constant value
Properties of Minerals Distinctive Properties Magnetic (large amounts of iron) Feel Smell