EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Luster is how a mineral reflects light. The terms metallic and nonmetallic describe the basic types of luster. Table 7 lists the most common terms used to describe luster and an example of a corresponding mineral. Some minerals that don’t exhibit luster are referred to as “earthy, ” “chalky, ” or “dull."

Detailed explanation-2: -Eleven adjectives are commonly used to describe mineral luster. They are: metallic, submetallic, nonmetallic, vitreous, dull, greasy, pearly, resinous, silky, waxy, and adamantine. These adjectives convey-in a single word-a property that can be important in the identification of a mineral.

Detailed explanation-3: -Minerals with metallic luster contain elements that have “clouds” of shared electrons, so light is highly reflected off the surface. Pyrite, galena, silver, and gold exhibit metallic lusters. The elements in non-metallic minerals absorb more and reflect less light.

Detailed explanation-4: -Luster is the way that a mineral reflects light. There are two major types of luster; metallic and non-metallic luster. A mineral with a metallic luster is either shiny, because it reflects light like a polished piece of metal, or is dull-looking, because it reflects light like a metal rust or a metal tarnish.

Detailed explanation-5: -Answer and Explanation: Luster is the property that describes the way a material reflects light.