Science
Cleavage
The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces is called cleavage. Cleavage in science refers to how minerals break along smooth, flat planes where the bonds are weaker.
Crystal
A solid of ions or atoms arranged in an orderly three-dimensional pattern. Crystal. A crystal is a structure where particles are arranged in a repeating, organized pattern.
Density
An object's mass per unit volume. Density. Density is how much stuff is packed into a certain space.
Fracture
An irregular break in a mineral. Fracture. In science, a fracture is when a material, like a rock or bone, breaks or cracks under stress.
Gem
A rare, valuable mineral. Gem. A gem is a naturally occurring mineral known for its beauty and durability, often used in jewelry.
Hardness
A minerals resistance to scratching. Hardness. Hardness measures how difficult it is to scratch a material.
Lava
Molten rock that reaches the Earth's surface. Lava. Lava is hot, liquid rock that flows from volcanoes.
Luster
The way a mineral's surface reflects light. Luster. Luster is the appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral.
Magma
Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. Magma. Magma is hot, liquid rock found under the Earth's crust.
Mineral
A natural inorganic solid with definite chemical composition and structure. mineral. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance made of one or more elements with a specific crystal form.
Ore
A rock that contains enough mineral to be mined for profit. ore. Ore is a type of rock that contains valuable minerals that can be extracted and sold.
Silicate
A mineral with silicon, oxygen, and other elements. Silicate. Silicates are minerals made from silicon and oxygen, forming the building blocks of rocks.
Streak
A color of a mineral in its powdered form streak. Streak is the color left behind when a mineral is scratched across a porcelain tile, helping to identify it.
