Unit 5 Vocab Ruggiero 23-24

differentitation

a planet develops compositional layers during its molten phase based on density of elements

molten

liquid rock or mineral material melted by heat

Inorganic

Not formed from living things or the remains of living things

native elements

minerals that exist as single, uncombined elements

element

A pure substance made of only one kind of atom

compound

A substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds

geosphere

The mostly solid, rocky part of the Earth; extends from the center of the core to the surface of the crust.

mineral

a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

rock

A naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals, volcanic glass or organic matter

carbonates

Minerals that contain the compound CO3

Silicates

Minerals that contain a silicon and oxygen compound

silica tetrahedron

a structure composed of four oxygen atoms surrounding a silicon atom that constitutes the basic building block of silicate minerals

Oxides

Minerals containing a compound of oxygen and a metal

Sulfides

minerals containing a compound of sulfur and a metal

chemical symbol

A one or two letter representation of an element

crystal

a mineral with a smooth surface called a crystal face showing the internal crystalline structure of the mineral externally

cleavage

A mineral's ability to split easily along flat surfaces of weakness within the mineral's crystalline structure.

fracture

A mineral's tendency to break with uneven, irregular surfaces due to no particular weak planes within the mineral's crystalline structure

Mohs hardness scale

the standard scale against which the hardness of minerals is rated, 1=soft 10=hard

streak

the color of a mineral's powder when rubbed on a ceramic tile

specific gravity

ratio of a mineral's weight compared with the weight of an equal volume of water, a way to describe the mineral's density

luster

The way a mineral reflects light from its surface

metallic luster

when a mineral reflects light as polished metal does

non-metallic luster

when a mineral does not reflect light like a piece of

metal it is not shiny like metal. Can be glassy, pearly, dull, etc...

double-refraction

property of transparent mineral that produces a double image of an object viewed through them

cubic cleavage

three directions of cleavage at 90 degrees, making the mineral have cube shapes

igneous rock

a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface

sedimentary rock

a rock that forms from compressed or cemented layers of sediment or organic material

metamorphic rock

A type of rock that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

foliation

An arrangement of minerals in flat or wavy parallel bands or planes caused by pressure

fossils

The preserved remains or traces of organisms that once lived on Earth.

deposition

Process in which sediment is laid down in new locations.

weathering

The chemical and physical processes that break down rock at Earth's surface.