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Published byConstance Goodman Modified over 9 years ago
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Properties of Minerals
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Hardness - resistance to being scratched Mohs Hardness Scale Mohs Hardness Scale ranges from 1(talc) to 10 (diamond) ranges from 1(talc) to 10 (diamond) a mineral will only scratch those softer than it a mineral will only scratch those softer than it Field scale Field scale common test using fingernail (1), penny (3), glass (6) common test using fingernail (1), penny (3), glass (6)
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Color- not a reliable indicator of identity due to weathering and impurities Look at the 2 fluorite samples.
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Streak – the colored powder left when rubbed against a hard surface (more reliable than color because streak is not affected by weathering)
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Luster: ability to reflect light on its surface glassymetallic submetallicnonmetallic
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Cleavage & Fracture: the way a mineral breaks when stressed Cleavage: the tendency to break along flat surfaces and smooth lines (along weak bonds) Fracture: the quality of the break; typically uneven along curved or irregular surfaces if mineral’s atomic bonds are strong
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Crystal Shape – the natural growth of a mineral
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Taste: certain minerals like halite (salt) and sulfur have characteristic flavors (only water soluble minerals do)
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Specific gravity: the ratio of an object’s density to the density of water Magnetism: Magnetite has magnetic properties
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Reaction to Acid: an acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), can cause a mineral to fizz
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Fluorescence: Calcite and fluorite can glow under UV light.
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Optical properties: Calcite can create a double image
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Idioms to Ponder Back to the salt mines Back to the salt mines Sitting on a gold mine Sitting on a gold mine the need to return to work or some activity that is not fun in control of something valuable
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