Earth Science Flashcards Rebron

Phosphates

A rare mineral group formed when oxygen combines with phosphorus. Physical properties: colorless, dull/non-metallic luster (can glow in dark), no streak, breaks easily with unclean cleavage, and soft Mohs hardness ($1$ to $2$).

Halides

Salts that form minerals when water evaporates, containing fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Physical properties: colorless or yellow, vitreous (glassy) luster, white streak, clean cleavage, and mid Mohs hardness ($3$ to $4$).

Native Elements

Minerals formed entirely from a single element, such as gold or silver.

Arsenates

A rare mineral group formed when oxygen combines with arsenic. Physical properties: white, grey, or black color, metallic to non-metallic (dull) luster, yellow streak, clean cleavage, and mid Mohs hardness ($3$ to $4$).

Vanadates

A rare mineral group formed when oxygen combines with vanadate. Physical properties: bright colors (yellow, blue, green, purple), resinous (waxy) luster, brown or yellow streak, brittle cleavage, and mid Mohs hardness ($3$ to $4$).

Nitrates

A common mineral group containing $1$ nitrogen atom attached to $3$ oxygen atoms. Physical properties: white to grey color, vitreous (glassy) luster, white streak, clean cleavage, and low Mohs hardness ($1$ to $2$).

Tungstates

An uncommon mineral group containing $1$ tungsten atom attached to $4$ oxygen atoms. Physical properties: greyish color, shiny luster, white streak, square-edge cleavage, and mid Mohs hardness ($4$ to $5$).

Molybdates

An uncommon mineral group containing $1$ molybdenum atom attached to $4$ oxygen atoms. Physical properties: red, orange, yellow, silver, or white color, vitreous (glassy) luster, white streak, clean cleavage, and mid Mohs hardness ($3$ to $4$).

Mineral formation from magma or lava

Process where molten rock cools down and crystallizes into minerals, forming different crystals at different cooling temperatures.

Mineral formation from cold solutions

Process where dissolved substances in a liquid solution crystallize as the water evaporates.

Mineral formation from hot solutions

Process where underground magma heats water to dissolve substances, which then flow into rock cracks, cool down, and solidify into crystals.

Mineral veins

Deposits created when a liquid mineral solution seeps into cracks in rock, cools down, and crystallizes within the cracks.

Crystal size determination in minerals

Driven by cooling rate: quick cooling causes fast solidification resulting in small crystals, while slow cooling allows large crystals to form.