Glossaries
Minerals
Alteration
A physical or chemical change in a rock after its original formation.
Cleavage
A split that yields definite planes.
Crystal
A solid mineral that is geometric in shape.
Erosion
Transport of sediment.
Fluorescence
The property of emitting light.
Fossil
A remnant or impression of an animal or plant that has been preserved in rock.
Fracture
An irregular break in a mineral.
Geology
Science that deals with rocks, minerals and the phenomena of the Earth's crust.
Hardness
Resistance of a mineral to scratching.
Inorganic
Non-living.
Magnetism
The property of being attracted to magnets.
Mineral
An inorganic, homogeneous substance.
Opaque
Blocks the passage of light.
Rock
An aggregate of two or more minerals.
Sediment
Rock fragments.
Solubility
How easily a mineral dissolves in a liquid (such as water).
Streak
The colour of the powder obtained by rubbing the mineral on unglazed porcelain.
Translucent
Lets light through, but not enough to clearly distinguish an object.
Transparency
How well light passes through a mineral.
Transparent
The term used to describe a mineral through which an object can be clearly distinguished.