EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Properties that help geologists identify a mineral in a rock are: color, hardness, luster, crystal forms, density, and cleavage. Crystal form, cleavage, and hardness are determined primarily by the crystal structure at the atomic level. Color and density are determined primarily by the chemical composition.

Detailed explanation-2: -Color and luster describe the mineral’s outer appearance. Streak is the color of the powder. Mohs Hardness Scale is used to compare the hardness of minerals. Cleavage or the characteristic way a mineral breaks depends on the crystal structure of the mineral.

Detailed explanation-3: -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-4: -Metallic: The mineral shines like a metal. Waxy: The mineral shines like wax. Pearly: The mineral shines iridescently, like a pearl. Silky: The mineral shines like silk.