| Term | Definition |
|---|
| mineral | A naturally occuring substance that is solid and has a definite chemical makeup and crystal structure. |
| element | Substance that contains only one type of atom. |
| crystal | A solid in which the atoms are arranged in an orderly, repeating 3-dimensional pattern. |
| streak | Color of the powder left behind when the mineral is scraped across a surface. |
| luster | The way light reflects from a mineral's surface. |
| cleavage | Tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces. |
| fracture | Tendency of a mineral to break into irregular pieces. |
| density | Amount of mass in a given volume. |
| hardness | Resistance to being scratched; measured on the Mohs scale. |
| magma | Molten rock inside Earth. |
| lava | Molten rock that reaches Earth's surface. |
| ore | Rock with enough of a mineral to be mined for a profit. |
| rock | Naturally formed solid usually made of one or more minerals. |
| rock cycle | Set of natural, repeating processes that form, change, break down, and reform rocks. |
| igneous rock | Rock that forms when molten rock cools and becomes solid. |
| sedimentary rock | Rock that forms when sediments get compacted or cemented together. |
| metamorphic rock | Rock formed when high heat or pressure change an existing rock. |
| sediment | Loose pieces of rocks and minerals or pieces of plant and animal remains that settle out of water or air. |
| extrusive igneous rocks | Form on Earth's surface, cool quickly, small crystals. |
| Intrusive igneous rocks | Form below Earth's surface, cool slowly, large crystals. |
| weathering | Process by which natural forces break down rocks. |
| exfoliation | In geology, process in which layers of rock gradually break off. |
| abrasion | Process of wearing something down by friction. |
| mechanical weathering | Breaking up rock by physical forces (ice wedging, pressure release, root growth, abrasion). |
| chemical weathering | Break down of rocks by chemical reactions that change the rocks' makeup (dissolving, rusting). |
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