Physical Properties of Minerals Streak

Colour The streak of a mineral refers to the colour of

the mark it leaves behind after being rubbed
Colour is one of the most obvious against a piece of unglazed porcelain.
characteristic of a mineral, but generally not the
most useful diagnostic feature. Depending on
impurities, individual mineral types may come
in a vast variety of colours.

Lustre
Crystal habit
Lustre refers to the way in which the surface of
a mineral reflects light, and is controlled by the
Crystal habit refers to the characteristic shape kinds of atoms present and their bonding.
of a mineral unit (either an individual crystal or
an aggregate of crystals). Crystals with well-
developed faces are referred to as “euhedral”;
for example garnet crystals are often euhedral.
Minerals may also occur as aggregates of
crystals; for example, asbestos is usually found
as an aggregate of very fine fibers.

Hardness
Hardness is a measure of how resistant a
mineral is to scratching. This physical property
is controlled by the chemical composition and
structure of the mineral.
Cleavage
Minerals are composed of atoms, which, for
each mineral, have a characteristic
arrangement. Weaknesses in the chemical
bonds between these atoms cause planes of
weakness in the crystal structure.
 Rocks Classifications • Glaciers
Sedimentary rocks are classified into two (2) groups:
 CLASTIC ROCKS
Igneous rocks
- are made of pieces of other rocks that have been weathered
- are formed by melting, cooling, and crystallization of other
and eroded.
rocks.
- are grouped based on the size of grain that they are made
from.
Examples:
 Very small particles make up mudrock.
 Medium sized particles make up sandstone.
 Large particles make up conglomerates.

 CHEMICALLY FORMED ROCKS

Igneous rocks are classified using their texture in the following - these are sedimentary rocks formed through chemical means.
ways: - sedimentary rocks that form from chemical processes are
 GLASSY called:
- have no crystal structure, and probably formed byu very rapid a.) biochemical rocks (formed from living things)
cooling (such as on the surface of a lava, or when a lava enters b.) chemical precipitates (formed from lakes or shallow seas.)
the water.)
 APHANITIC  Some of the most common types of sedimentary rocks
- have no visible crystals, and probably formed by fast cooling include:
above ground.  Conglomerate
 PHANERITIC  Sandstone
- have visible crystals, and probably formed by slow cooling  Shale
below ground.  Limestone
 PORPHYRITIC  Gypsum
- have both visible and non-visible crystals, and probably  Oolites
formed by two different cooling events.  Chert (including black flint and red jasper)
___
Igneous rocks are also classified into two (2) groups by their 3.) Metamorphic rocks
color: - are formed by heat and pressure changing one type of rock
 DARK IGNEOUS ROCKS into another type of rock.
- are formed from basaltic or mafic* magma.
- The magma that forms these rocks is usually very hot (around
1000°C) and viscous (about the same viscosity as ketchup.)
* Mafic because it contains a lot of magnesium and iron.
 LIGHT IGNEOUS ROCKS
- are formed from silicic (high silica content) or felsic magmas.
- The magma that form these rocks is usually more cool, (lower
than 850°C), and more viscous (about the viscosity of peanut
______
butter.)
Metamorphic rocks can be formed through the following ways:
 The most common types of igneous rocks include:
 Lava intrusions can provide heat that causes metamorphic
 Rhyolite
rocks to form. These small areas of metamorphic rock form
 Andesite
from contact metamorphosis.
 Rocks that metamorphose because of increasing heat and
2.) Sedimentary rocks
pressure found at plate subduction zones and in deep
- are formed by weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction,
mountain roots form large areas of metamorphic rock through
and cementation of other rocks.
regional metamorphosis.
______
Metamorphic rocks are classified into two (2) major groups:
 FOLIATED
- form when differential pressure causes minerals to form in
layers.
- These rocks will have stripes or planes that they will break
easily along.
 NONFOLIATED
- rocks are likely to form in areas such as:
- formed in areas where the pressure from all sides was equal,
• Deltas
so there is no “linear” quality to the rocks.
• Beaches
• Rivers
 Weathering and Erosion in the Rock Cycle them as sediment to the ocean.

The rock cycle is the process through which

rocks are broken down to create new ones.
Weathering and erosion are important parts of
the rock cycle. This cycle has been shaping
and reshaping Earth for millions of years.

Chemical Weathering
Erosion by Wind
There are two kinds of
weathering. Chemical weathering occurs when
elements like oxygen cause substances in the Wind is another powerful force in the process
rock to go through changes that affect its of erosion. It plays a major part in shaping
chemical makeup. These changes break the and reshaping Earth’s surface.
rock. For example, some rocks contain the
mineral iron. When oxygen in the air touches
iron, rust forms. Rust weakens the rock.

Erosion by Ice

Physical Weathering A third powerful force of erosion is ice.

Large pieces of ice called glaciers move over
Physical weathering is the second kind of Earth.
weathering. Forces like wind, water, and ice
weaken the surface of a rock and then break
it down in this type of weathering.

New Landforms

Erosion, through the forces of water and

Erosion by Water
wind, is constantly changing Earth’s surface
by wearing down rocks and moving sediment
After weathering has broken down the rocks, around.
rock bits mix with mud and other matter
through erosion. A force like water carries