Minerals

Question 1

________ are the solid, inorganic substances that the Earth’s crust is made of

Answer 1

minerals

Question 2

Minerals are usually c___________ in shape

Answer 2

crystalline (like crystals)

Question 3

What are the two ways that minerals typicallly form?

Answer 3

1. When magma cools

2. When a solution (minerals+liquid) evaporates, leaving just the solid mineral behind

Question 4

What are the characteristics that scientists use to classify minerals?

Answer 4

Color, Luster (shine), Cleavage/Fracture (how it breaks), and Hardness (how difficult it is to scratch)

Question 5

What are the three main types of useful minerals?

Answer 5

Rare/precious (like diamonds), ores (what we turn into metal), and silicates (like sand/soil)