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MInerals
Important mineral vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
mineral | a class of nutrients that are chemical elements that are needed for certain body processes |
element | a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means |
compound | a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds |
crystal | a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern |
silicate mineral | a mineral that contains a combination of silicon and oxygen and that may also contain one or more metals |
nonsilicate mineral | a mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen |
luster | the way in which a mineral reflects light |
streak | the color of a mineral in powdered form |
cleavage | in geology, the tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes of weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces |
fracture | the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces |
hardness | a measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching |
density | the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance |