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chapter3
earth science
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| mineral | naturally occurring inorganic solid that has a definite chemical composition and an orderly chemical position. |
| crystal | solid in which the atoms are arranged in an orderly, repeating pattern. |
| magma | hot melted rock material beneath earths surface. |
| silicate | mineral that contains silicon and oxygen and usually one or more other elements. |
| hardness | measures how easily a mineral can be scratched; is determined by the arrangement or the mineral atoms. |
| luster | describes the way a mineral reflects light from its surface; can be either metallic or nonmetallic. |
| specific | ratio of a mineral's weight compared with the weight of an equal volume of water. |
| streak | color of a mineral when it is in dowered form. |
| cleavage | physical properties of some materials that causes them to break along smooth, flat surfaces |
| fracture | physical property of some minerals that causes them to break with uneven rough jagged surfaces. |
| gem | beautiful, rare, prized, mineral, highly prized gems. |