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Ch.3 Minerals Vocab
Minerals vocab
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Mineral | A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure. |
Elements | 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. |
Crystals | A solids who atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern. |
Silicate Minerals | A mineral that contains a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more minerals. |
Non-Silicate Minerals | A mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon or oxygen. |
Luster | The way in which a mineral reflects light. |
Streak | The color of the powder in a mineral. |
Cleavage | The splitting of mineral along 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 substances. |
Ore | A natural material whose concentration of economically valuable minerals is high enough for the material to be mined profitably. |
Reclamation | The process of returning land to its original condition after mining is completed. |
Pegamites | When magma moves upward and causes a form tear-drop shaped bodies. |
Plutons | As magma rises upwards through the crust it sometimes stop moving, cools and turns into a crystal. |