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Chap. 3 vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| mineral | a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure |
| elements | pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means |
| compound | a substance made of two or more elements that have been chemically joined, or bonded |
| crystals | Solid, geometric forms of minerals produce by a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules that is present throughout the mineral |
| silicate minerals | a mineral that contains a combination silicon and oxygen, and one or more minerals |
| nonsilicate minerals | minerals that do not contain a combination of the elements silicon and oxygen |
| luster | the way in which a mineral reflects light |
| streak | the color of the powder of a mineral |
| cleavage | the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surface |
| fracture | the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surface |
| 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 |
| 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 |