| A | B |
|---|
| mineral | a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystal structure |
| element | a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances |
| luster | the way a mineral reflects light. Examples include metallic and non mentallic |
| streak | the color of a mineral in its powdered form. Can be found by rubbing mineral against streak plate. |
| cleavage | the tendency for some minerals to break along smooth, flat surfaces |
| fracture | the tendency for some minerals to break unevenly along curved or irregular surfaces. |
| hardness | a mineral's resistance to being scratched |
| density | the measurement of how much matter is in a certain amount of space |
| special properties of minerals | flourescence, magnetism, taste, chemical reaction, radioactivity, optical properties |
| Mohs hardness scale | a scale used to compare the hardness of minerals |
| Four characteristics of minerals | solid, forms in nature, made of nonliving material, has a crystal structure, |
| geology | the study of the structure and processes of the Earth |
| Earth Science | the study of all nonliving aspects of the Earth |
