Concept explainers
What physical properties are used to identify minerals?
The physical properties that are used to identify minerals.
Answer to Problem 5RQ
The physical properties that are used to identify minerals are crystal form, hardness, fracture, cleavage, luster, color, streak and density.
Explanation of Solution
A crystal form is a physical property of a mineral that defines the systematic arrangement of the atoms of a mineral. Hardness is another property of a mineral that denotes the ability of one mineral to scratch another and its resistance to scratching.
On the basis of ways of breaking of a mineral, there are two properties, fracture and cleavage. When a mineral breaks along the plane of weakness, it is called cleavage. Luster is a property of mineral which gives the appearance of a mineral when light is reflected. When the color of a mineral is in its powdered form, then it is called a streak. Density is also used to identify minerals.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the physical properties that are used to identify minerals are crystal form, hardness, fracture, cleavage, luster, color, streak and density.
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