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Minerals
All About Minerals
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| mineral | a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure |
| element | a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means |
| quartz | basic building block of many rocks |
| mica | mineral separates into thin sheets when it breaks |
| luster | the way a mineral reflects light |
| streak | the color of the powder of a mineral |
| cleavage | the splitting of a 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 |
| halite | mineral that has a salty taste |