Minerals

According to Lutgen & Tarbuck (2011) "the properties of minerals include crystal shape (habit),luster, color, streak, hardness, cleavage, fracture, and density or specific gravity. In addition, a number of special physical and chemical properties (taste, smell, elasticity, feel, magnetism, double refraction, and chemical reaction to hydrochloric acid) are useful in identifying certain minerals. Each mineral has a unique set of properties that can be used for identification " (p.24).

If, as a scientist studying minerals, I wished to identify an unknown sample mineral, I would use the aforementioned criteria to help classify the example in question. In order to fully explain this technique, I will take each quality and explain in detail the fundamental properties of that quality .

Luster: I would check the mineral for its ability to reflect light. A mineral's luster is its shininess and its ability to shine and gloss.

Color: The color of a...
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