EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Most minerals can be characterized and classified by their unique physical properties: hardness, luster, color, streak, specific gravity, cleavage, fracture, and tenacity.

Detailed explanation-2: -The physical properties of minerals are determined by the atomic structure and crystal chemistry of the minerals. The most common physical properties are crystal form, color, hardness, cleavage, and specific gravity. One of the best ways to identify a mineral is by examining its crystal form (external shape).

Detailed explanation-3: -Minerals can be identified based on a number of properties. The properties most commonly used in identification of a mineral are colour, streak, lustre, hardness, crystal shape, cleavage, specific gravity and habit. Most of these can be assessed relatively easily even when a geologist is out in the field.

Detailed explanation-4: -To help with identification, geologists must look closely at the physical properties of a mineral. These properties can include: color, streak, hardness, cleavage, specific gravity, crystal form, and others.

Detailed explanation-5: -This study of minerals is also known as megascopic study and is the cheapest and fastest method of identification for ores and minerals. Form (habit), colour, cleavage, fracture, hardness, specific gravity, lustre, streak and magnetism are some of the common physical (megascopic) properties of the minerals.