A streak plate maybe used to identify which mineral property?
A streak plate is commonly used to identify the color of the streak produced by a mineral. The streak refers to the color of the finely powdered mineral when it is scraped across a porcelain streak plate. This property can be helpful in mineral identification because it is more consistent than the color of the mineral itself, which can vary due to impurities or other factors.
To use a streak plate to identify the mineral's streak color, you would follow these steps:
1. Select a clean, unglazed porcelain streak plate.
2. Take the mineral you want to test and firmly hold it against the streak plate.
3. Gently scrape the mineral across the surface of the plate using enough pressure to produce a visible streak.
4. Observe the color left behind on the streak plate. This is the mineral's streak color.
It is important to note that the mineral's streak color might be different from its overall color. For example, a mineral with a yellowish overall color may leave a white streak. By examining the streak color, you can help narrow down the possibilities for mineral identification.