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Minerals
Part 1 Rocks and Minerals
Term | Definition |
---|---|
mineral | A substance that forms in nature, is solid, is inorganic, has a definite chemical make up and a crystal structure. |
element | A substance that contains only one type of atom. |
crystal | A solid in which the atoms are arranged in an orderly and repeating pattern. |
streak | The powder left behind from a mineral as it is scraped along a streak plate. |
luster | The way in which light reflects from a mineral's flat surfaces. |
cleavage | The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces. |
fracture | The tendency of a mineral to break in irregular pieces. |
hardness | A mineral's resistance to being scratched. |
magma | Molten rock beneath the planet's crust. |
lava | Molten rock that has reached the planet's surface. |
silicates | A mineral group that makes up about 90% of the rocks in earths crust. (composed of the elements silicon and oxygen) |