Physical Properties of Minerals
-All specimens of halite have the same hardness, the same density, and break in a similar manner.
-The primary physical properties that are commonly used to identify hand samples are luster, color, streak, crystal shape, tenacity, hardness and specific gravity.
-Secondary properties that are exhibited by a limited number of minerals include magnetism, taste, feel, smell, double refraction, and chemical reaction to hydrochloric acid.
-Luster is the appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral.
-Another optical property used in the identification of minerals is the ability to transmit light.
-Color is generally the most conspicuous characteristic of any mineral, it is considered a diagnostic property of only a few minerals.
-Streak is the color of the powdered mineral.
-Tenacity describes a mineral's toughness, or its resistance to breaking or deforming.
-Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a mineral to abrasion or scratching.
-Minerals that have structures that are equally, or nearly equally, strong in all directions fracture to form irregular surfaces.
Notes page 83-87
Physical Properties of Minerals-All specimens of halite have the same hardness, the same density, and break in a similar manner.
-The primary physical properties that are commonly used to identify hand samples are luster, color, streak, crystal shape, tenacity, hardness and specific gravity.
-Secondary properties that are exhibited by a limited number of minerals include magnetism, taste, feel, smell, double refraction, and chemical reaction to hydrochloric acid.
-Luster is the appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral.
-Another optical property used in the identification of minerals is the ability to transmit light.
-Color is generally the most conspicuous characteristic of any mineral, it is considered a diagnostic property of only a few minerals.
-Streak is the color of the powdered mineral.
-Tenacity describes a mineral's toughness, or its resistance to breaking or deforming.
-Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a mineral to abrasion or scratching.
-Minerals that have structures that are equally, or nearly equally, strong in all directions fracture to form irregular surfaces.