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Rocks and Minerals
This is the vocabulary for the Rocks and Minerals unit in science.
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Mineral | A naturally occuring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition. |
Density | The mass per unit volume of an object (mass divided by volume). |
Silicate | A member of the mineral group that has silicon and oxygen in its crystal structure. |
Crystallization | The process by which atoms form a solid with an orderly repeating pattern. |
Magma | Molten rock stored beneath Earth's surface. |
Lava | Magma that erupts onto Earth's surface, usually through volcanoes. |
Minerologist | Scientist who studies the distribution of minerals, mineral properties, and their uses. |
Luster | A mineral's luster is the way a mineral reflects or absorbs light at its surface. |
Streak | The color of a mineral's powder |
Hardness | A mineral's resistance to being scratched. |
Cleavage | The breaking of a mineral along a smooth, flat surface. |
Fracture | The breaking of a mineral along an irregular or rough surface. |
Ore | A deposit of minerals that are large enough to be mined for a profit. |
Gemstone | A rare and attractive mineral that can be worn as jewelry. |