What is a mineral?
A solid that is naturally occurring, inorganic, and has a crystal structure.
Minerals are defined by their physical and chemical properties.
Define crystallization.
The process by which a solid forms with an orderly, repeating pattern.
This process is crucial for the formation of minerals.
What does luster describe?
The way a mineral’s surface reflects light.
Luster can be metallic, glassy, dull, etc.
What is fracture in terms of minerals?
A mineral that breaks along rough or irregular surfaces.
This can help identify minerals as different from cleavage.
How is hardness measured?
By how much the mass is between two of the same rock
What determines crystal shape?
The atomic structure of the mineral.
Crystal shapes can vary significantly among different minerals.
What is streak in mineralogy?
The color of a mineral’s powder.
Streak can differ from the mineral’s appearance.
Define cleavage in minerals.
When a mineral breaks along smooth, flat surfaces.
Cleavage is a key property used to identify minerals.
What is density in terms of minerals?
Mass per unit volume of a mineral.
Denser minerals have more mass in the same volume.
What are the properties that make a mineral a mineral?
Solid, naturally occurring, inorganic, and crystal structure.
These properties are essential for classification.
What are grains in geology?
The individual particles in rock.
Grains can vary in size and composition.
What is magma?
Melted rock inside the Earth.
Magma can lead to the formation of igneous rocks when it cools.
Fill in the blank: A mineral’s _______ is its response to acid.
reactivity.
Some minerals fizz or react when acid is poured on them.
True or False: All minerals are organic substances.
False.
Minerals are inorganic by definition.
What is a rock?
A solid mixture composed of minerals
Ranges from igneous, sedimentary, to metamorphic types.
What is molten rock that erupts onto Earth’s surface called?
Lava
Lava is the molten rock that reaches the surface after a volcanic eruption.
What does texture refer to in geology?
Grain size and how the grains are arranged
What are sedimentary rocks primarily composed of?
Rock and mineral fragments that are loose or suspended in water
What is lithification?
The process through which sediment turns into rock
What is metamorphism?
The formation of metamorphic rocks
What results from pressure causing flat minerals to line up?
Foliation
How are igneous rocks formed?
When magma or lava cools and minerals crystallize
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
When parent rocks are squeezed, heated, or exposed to hot fluids
What is the formation process for sedimentary rocks?
Formed through weathering by water, ice, or wind
