Earth Sciences 1022A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Conchoidal Fracture, Birefringence, Mohs Scale Of Mineral Hardness

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Rock any solid mass of mineral that occurs naturally as part of our planet. Solid chemical compound that is found in nature. Chemical compounds that combine to form rocks. Hardness, cleavage varies depending on element composition. Some have same chemical composition but different physical characteristics polymorphs eg. graphite and diamonds. Criteria: occur naturally, solid at surface temp and pressure, posses orderly internal structure, atoms arranged in pattern, definite chemical composition, usually inorganic. How minerals break along the weakest plains. Crystal habit (shape: external expression of a mineral. Lustre: quality of light reflected from the surface. Streak: colour of mineral in powdered form. Hardness *: mineral"s resistance to abrasion, measured on mohs scale. Fracture: minerals that have similar strength in all directions and lack ability to cleavage can fracture in distinctive manner. Specific gravity: number representing ratio of weight of mineral to weight of an equal.