Minerals Worksheet

The process of binding together particles with a natural material to create a sedimentary rock.
The process by which the porosity of a given form of sediment is decreased as a result of its mineral grains being squeezed together by the weight of overlying sediment or by mechanical means.
Sedimentary rocks composed of broken pieces of older rocks
skeletal fossil fragments of once living marine or land organisms that are found in sedimentary rocks laid down in a marine environment
The color of a mineral’s powder which is independent of the color of the mineral itself. A physical property that is controlled by the atomic structure of the mineral.
The way light is reflected off of a mineral. Includes metallic and non-metallic. A physical property that is controlled by the atomic structure of the mineral
The tendency of a mineral to break along smooth planes parallel to each other. A physical property that is controlled by the atomic structure of the mineral.
The resistance to abrasion of a smooth surface of a mineral. Measured on a scale from 1 to 10. A physical property that is controlled by the atomic structure of the mineral.
The tendency of a mineral to break along curved surfaces without a definite shape. A physical property that is controlled by the atomic structure of the mineral.
Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.
Repetitive layers of thin parallel sheets of minerals in a metamorphic rock. Formed when pressure is applied to a parent rock from two opposing directions.
Metamorphism affecting rocks over an extensive area as a result of the large-scale action of heat and pressure.
A description of metamorphic rocks without repetitive layers of thin parallel sheets of minerals.
Metamorphism due to contact with or proximity to an igneous intrusion (melted rock - magma or lava). As a result of this, metamorphic rocks are often found between layers of sedimentary and igneous rocks.
A scale from 1 to 10 used to measure the relative hardness of a mineral by its resistance to scratching. 1 is the softest - 10 is the hardest.
Igneous rock formed from magma deep within the Earth's crust, which then slowly solidifies below the Earth's surface - creating large crystals.
Light colored igneous rocks, with low density. Composed mainly of potassium feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase feldspar.
Gas pockets found in igneous rocks. Formed by volcanic eruptions - air is trapped inside of cooling magma.
Parallel layers of minerals - usually of alternating color - in metamorphic rock. Only occurs with the most intense regional metamorphism.
Igneous rock formed from lava on the surface of the Earth, which cools quickly - creating small crystals.
Dark colored igneous rocks, with high density. Composed mainly of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine.
Related to life. Came from a living thing, part of a living thing, created by a living thing.
A type of mineral luster which reflects light the same way that metals do.
An organically formed “glue” which holds sedimentary rocks together. Often created when minerals dissolved in water are left behind when the water evaporates.