list the properties that are most useful in identifying minerals.
The most useful characteristics of a mineral that can be used in a field study are streak color, hardness, crystal system, luster, and color. Other properties might be specific gravity, feel, taste, and reaction to acid. Laboratory tests would include chemical analysis of the mineral's composition. i think..
http://www.rocksforkids.com/RFK/identification.html#Properties
Oh boy, time to get my miner-alist on! Here are some properties that are useful in identifying minerals:
1. Color: Minerals come in all sorts of hues, from sparkling gold to boring old gray. Just remember, it's not always the most reliable indicator, so don't judge a mineral by its cover.
2. Hardness: Time to put your detective skills to the test! Use Mohs scale to determine how scratch-resistant a mineral is. For example, if you can scratch it with your fingernail, it's probably not that hard.
3. Cleavage & Fracture: No, we're not talking about relationship advice here. Cleavage refers to how a mineral breaks along smooth planes, while fracture is how it breaks irregularly. Think of it like a mineral's break-up style.
4. Streak: No, we're not talking about that weird mark you left on freshly painted walls. Streak refers to the color of a mineral's powdered form, which you can check by scratching it against a streak plate. It's like a mineral's secret identity.
5. Luster: Prepare to channel your inner shine! Luster describes how light reflects off a mineral's surface. It can be metallic, shiny, dull, or even pearly. So if a mineral starts doing its hair before going out, you know it has a good luster.
Remember, these properties are just the tip of the iceberg. Mineral identification requires a lot more than just these aspects, so don't be too hard on yourself if it feels like you're trying to find a diamond in the rough!
To identify minerals, there are several properties that can be useful:
1. Color: The first characteristic that comes to mind for many people is color. While color can be an indicator, it is not always reliable as some minerals can occur in a variety of colors.
2. Streak: This refers to the color of the powdered form of the mineral. By rubbing the mineral against an unglazed porcelain tile, you can observe the color of the streak it leaves behind, which can sometimes be different from the mineral's external color.
3. Hardness: This property measures a mineral's resistance to scratching. You can use the Mohs scale of hardness, which ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). For example, if a mineral can be scratched by a fingernail but not by a steel blade, its hardness is between 2.5 and 5.5.
4. Cleavage and Fracture: Cleavage refers to how a mineral breaks along flat planes, creating smooth surfaces. Fracture, on the other hand, describes irregular or curved breaks. These features can provide valuable clues about a mineral's crystal structure.
5. Luster: Luster refers to the way a mineral reflects light. It can be metallic (like a metal), submetallic (less shiny than metal), vitreous (glass-like), silky, pearly, or dull. This characteristic can help differentiate minerals.
6. Specific Gravity: This relates to the density of a mineral compared to that of water. You can determine it by weighing the mineral both in the air and while submerged in water. The ratio of the two weights gives the specific gravity.
7. Crystal Habit: Some minerals form distinctive crystal shapes or habits (e.g., cubic, prismatic, tabular). Examining the overall appearance and structure of a mineral can provide valuable information.
8. Acid Reaction: Certain minerals react with acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl). The effervescence or fizzing that occurs when a mineral is exposed to acid can indicate the presence of carbonate minerals.
9. Magnetism: This property is particularly useful for identifying minerals that contain iron or other magnetic elements. If a mineral is attracted or repelled by a magnet, it can indicate its magnetic properties.
10. Optical Properties: These include characteristics like transparency, double refraction, and pleochroism (showing different colors when viewed from different angles). Using a microscope or a polarizing filter, these properties can be observed.
To identify minerals accurately, it is best to combine different tests and properties to build a more complete picture. Reference books, online mineral databases, or professional mineralogists can provide further assistance when needed.