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Details Title: Understanding Earth Description: Chapter 3 Total Flash Cards: 29 Created: 09/26/2005 22:23:20	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Mineralogy Definition The branch of geology that studies the composition, structure, appearance, stability, occurrence, and associations of minerals Term Mineral Definition a naturally occurring, solid crystalline substance, generally inorganic, with a specific chemical composition Term Proton Definition The positively charges particles in an atom's nucleus Term Atom Definition the smallest unit of an element that retains the physical and chemical properties of thta element Term Neutron Definition Electrically neutral, found in an atom's nucleus Term Electrons Definition Surround the nucleus in a cloud. Each has a mass so small that it is conventionally taken to be 0. Electrical charge: -1 Term Atomic # Definition The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom Term Atomic mass Definition the sum of the masses of an element's protons and neutrons Term Isotopes Definition Atoms of the same chemical element may have different numbers of neutrons and therefore different atomic masses. These various kinds of toms are called this. Term Chemical reactions Definition Interactions of the atoms of two or more chemical elements in certain fixed proportions that produce new chemical substances--chemical compounds Term Electron transfer and Electron sharing Definition The two ways chemical compounds are formed Term Anion Definition Negatively charged ion Term Cation Definition Positively charged ion Term Ionic bond Definition The simplest type of chemical bond. It forms by electrical attraction between ions of the opposite charge. (Like static electricity) Term Covalent bonds Definition Stronger type of bond. It holds elements that do not readily gain or lose electrons to form ions and instead form compounds by sharing electrons. Term Crystallization Definition the growth of a solid from a gas or liquid whose constituent atoms come together in the proper chemical proportions and crystalline arrangement Term Crystals Definition Ordered 3-D arrays of atoms in which the basic arrangement is repeated in all directions Term Precipitate Definition To drop out of solution as crystals Term Polymorphs (example: diamond and graphite) Definition Alternative structures for a single chemical compound Term Hardness Definition A measure of the ease with which the surface of a mineral can be scratched Term Mohs Scale of Hardness Definition Talc 1 Gypsum 2 _____Fingernail Calcite 3 _____Copper Coin Fluorite 4 Apatite 5 _____Knife blade Orthoclase 6 _______Window glass Quarts 7 ______Steel file Topaz 8 Corundum 9 Diamond 10 Term Cleavage Definition The tendency of a crystal to break along flat planar surfaces Term Fracture Definition The tendency of a crystal to break along irregular surfaces other than cleavage planes Term Luster Definition The way in which the surface of a mineral reflects light Term Color Definition Imparted by light--either transmitted through or reflected by crystals, irregular masses, or a streak Term Streak Definition The color of the fine deposit of mineral dust left on an abrasive surface Term Density Definition Mass per unit volume (usually expressed as g/cm3) Term Specific gravity Definition The weight of a mineral in air divided by the weight of an equal volume of pure water at 4 degrees C Term Crystal Habit Definition the shape in which a mineral's individual crystals or aggregates of crystals grow