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Chapter 5. Mineral Identification. Physical Properties. Properties that can be measured. Ex) color, texture, shape, density. Physical Properties of a Mineral. Hardness A measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched Soft mineral: Talc Hard mineral: Diamond. Moh’s Scale of Hardness.
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Chapter 5 Mineral Identification
Physical Properties Properties that can be measured. Ex) color, texture, shape, density
Physical Properties of a Mineral Hardness • A measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched • Soft mineral: Talc • Hard mineral: Diamond
Luster • The way a mineral reflects light • Can be metallic or non-metallic
Streak • The color of a mineral in powdered form • The mineral is rubbed across an unglazed porcelain tile (streak plate) • Only works for minerals that are softer than the streak plate
Cleavage Minerals that break along smooth flat surfaces
Fracture Minerals that break along uneven, rough or jagged edges
Color Good starting indicator but not good when used by itself
OtherProperties • Some minerals have special properties • Magnetite- attracted to magnets • Calcite- produces a double image fizzes when HCl is applied
Other Properties • Fluorescence • Glow when viewed under ultraviolet light • Examples: fluorite, calcite • Phosphorescence • Will continue to glow even after the ultraviolet light is removed • Examples: sphalerite, Willemite
Other Properties • Radiation • Give off subatomic particles that can be detected by a Geiger counter • Exposure is dangerous to living organisms • Examples: carnotite, uraninite