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Chapter 14 Vocab for Earth Science

Chapter 14 Vocabulary

Terms

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Streak Plate
A piece of unglazed porcelain.
Mineral
A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid with a definite chemical composition.
Compound
Contains atoms of several elements combined. Example: quartz is a compound of oxygen and silicon
Streak
The color of a minerals powder.
Panning
The process in which gold in streams is separated fro the sand and gravel.
Flame Test
A test where minerals are put over a flame and produce a certain color
Mohs Scale
A hardness scale for classifying and identifying minerals by their hardness. Devised by Friedrich Mohs
Specific Gravity
The ratio of the mass of a substance to the mass of an equal volume of water at 4C (39F).
Platinum
Exists in a range of sizes, from small particles to nuggets. Color: steel gray, Luster: bright, Specific Gravity: 21.5 (denser than gold)
Silver
Specific gravity: 10.5 Color and streak: silver/white
Dredging
Separates the metal from thousands of cubic yards of sand and gravel.
Fracture
Minerals that do not show cleavage planes but seem to have some pattern in their breaking.
Gold
One of the densest minerals. Specific gravity: 19
Cleavage
The characteristic of some minerals to separate into flat sheets or along certain planes. Example: mica is easily identified by its ease of cleavage into thin sheets
Luminescence
The glowing when minerals are placed under ultraviolet light.
Acid Test
When acid is applied to certain minerals (carbonates, sulfides, and sulfites) and fizzes, it gives off bubbles of carbon dioxide and other gases.
The Different Types of Fracture
conchoidal, fibrous, uneven, and hackly
Native Mineral
Contains only one kind of atom and is therefore a pure element. Gold, silver, and diamond are examples of native minerals.
Refraction
The bending of light as it passes through minerals.
Element
The number of protons determines the ELEMENT that the atom belongs to. Example: hydrogen, lithium
Luster
The quality and intensity of the light reflected from a mineral's surface. Example: mineral copper has a metallic luster
Magnetism
This mineral can pick up minerals and small pieces of iron.
Hardness Test
A simple procedure in identifying a mineral, which determines the ability of the mineral to withstand scratching and abrasion.
Mixture
Contains many elements or compounds in proportions that vary. Example: salt
Placer Deposits
Streams where eroded gold or other minerals are found.
Polarization
A process where light rays are filtered so that it vibrates in one direction.
Double Refraction
Transparent minerals that produce double images as light passes through them
Copper
A native mineral, occurs in irregular masses, sheets, twisted strands...

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