Admin Table of Contents
- 1 Are the streak and the color of a mineral always the same?
- 2 Why can color be used to identify a mineral?
- 3 Which minerals have the same streak and color?
- 4 How do geologists identify minerals?
- 5 How do geologists identify and classify rocks and minerals using their physical and chemical properties?
- 6 Why do different minerals have different shapes?
- 7 Why do minerals form geometric shapes?
- 8 What is the streak of a mineral?
Are the streak and the color of a mineral always the same?
Every mineral has an inherent streak no matter what color it is. For example, calcite occurs in many different colors, shapes, and varieties. But every single variety of calcite has a white streak. Streak is useful to distinguish two minerals that have the same color, but a different streak .
Why can color be used to identify a mineral?
Minerals have distinctive properties that can be used to help identify them. Color and luster describe the mineral’s outer appearance. Streak is the color of the powder. Mohs Hardness Scale is used to compare the hardness of minerals.
Which minerals have the same streak and color?
| Streak Colors of Common Minerals | |
|---|---|
| Andalusite | White or colorless (hardness is about the same as the streak plate). |
| Gold | Metallic gold yellow. |
| Graphite | Black. |
| Gypsum | White. |
Why do the same minerals have different colors?
Color in minerals is caused by the absorption, or lack of absorption, of various wavelengths of light. The energy state of the electron is related to the wavelength that it absorbs. The bonding in this element affects the energy state of these electrons. Therefore bonds to different elements produce different colors.
Why do different minerals have different shapes and colors?
Answer: The same mineral can come in a variety of colors. Minerals may be one color in their purist form, but if they have any kind of impurities their color can change. This is why you color isn’t a good way to identify a mineral. …
How do geologists identify minerals?
To help with identification, geologists must look closely at the physical properties of a mineral. These properties can include: color, streak, hardness, cleavage, specific gravity, crystal form, and others.
How do geologists identify and classify rocks and minerals using their physical and chemical properties?
Geologists do the same thing, using specific properties to identify rocks and minerals. Geologists use the following tests to distinguish minerals and the rocks they make: hardness, color, streak, luster, cleavage and chemical reaction. He developed a hardness scale that helps to identify mineral properties.
Why do different minerals have different shapes?
The shape of a mineral crystal reflects the arrangement of atoms which compose it. The nature of this arrangement is affected by the size of the atoms and how they bond together. Mineral breakage is also determined by atomic arrangement; some minerals cleave along weak planes in the atomic structure.
Does the color of the mineral can be used as its distinguishing property?
Color. One of the most obvious properties of a mineral is color. Color should be considered when identifying a mineral, but should never be used as the major identifying characteristic.
Why do different minerals have different shape?
Why do minerals form geometric shapes?
This geometric structure is the result of the careful arrangement of the minerals’ atoms, ions, or molecules. It is this specialized geometric structure that helps scientists to categorize the Earth’s minerals. This is why some minerals form masses of very small crystals.
What is the streak of a mineral?
streak, the colour of a mineral in its powdered form. It is usually obtained by rubbing the mineral on a hard, white surface, such as a tile of unglazed porcelain, so as to yield a line, or streak, of fine powder.