| A | B |
|---|
| mineral | a solid that has a definite makeup and crystalline structure |
| crystal | a solid with a regular shape and flat sides |
| silicate minerals | minerals that contain oxygen and silicon |
| nonsilicate minerals | minerals that do not contain BOTH silicon and oxygen |
| hardness | the resistance a mineral shows to being scratched |
| Mohs scale | the number scale, ranging from 1-10, used for rating the hardness of minerals |
| streak | the color of a powder mark made by a mineral as it is rubbed against a porcelain tile |
| luster | the property that describes the way the surface of a mineral reflects light. |
| cleavage | the property that describes how a mineral cleaves, or splits along one or more smooth surfaces |
| fracture | a break along an uneven surface |
| specific gravity | a comparison between the mass of a mineral and an equal volume of water |
| magnetism | the property of minerals in which they are attracted to a magnet |
| fluorescence | the glowing of a mineral while it is under ultraviolet (UV) light. |
| phosphorescence | the release of visible light after a source of UV light has been removed. |
| natural resource | any material found on the earth that is necessary for life or useful to humans |
| renewable resource | a resource that can be replaced |
| nonrenewable resource | a resource that cannot be replaced once it is used |
| reforestation | the process of replacing trees |
| water cycle | the movement of water through nature; the movement of water between earth's land, air, and bodies of water |
| soil erosion | the carrying away of soil by wind or water |
| mineral deposit | rocks that contain large amounts of a mineral |
| vein | a deposit of minerals that has formed in cracks in rock |
| ore | a mineral deposit in the earth that can be mined for profit |
| gem | a mineral that is colorful and reflects much light |
