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Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces. Graphite and mica have the same type of cleavage, which is a perfect basal cleavage.

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How is mica and calcite be alike and how can they be different?

Mica and calcite are both minerals commonly found in Earth's crust. They both have distinct cleavage patterns, with mica typically having perfect basal cleavage and calcite having rhombohedral cleavage. However, they differ in chemical composition, as mica is a silicate mineral while calcite is a carbonate mineral. Additionally, mica displays a pearly luster and tends to be softer than calcite, which has a vitreous luster and can scratch glass.


How many directions of cleavage does graphite have?

Graphite has one direction of cleavage, which means it cleaves easily along one plane, resulting in thin sheets. This property is due to the layered structure of graphite, where atoms are arranged in flat sheets held together by weak forces.


Is opal a cleavage or fracture?

Opal does not have a cleavage or fracture because it lacks a distinct cleavage plane like minerals such as mica or calcite. Instead, opal typically fractures conchoidally, meaning it breaks with smooth, curved surfaces similar to glass.


Ability of a mineral to break easily and evenly along one or more flat planes?

The ability of a mineral to break along smooth, flat surfaces is called cleavage. Cleavage occurs due to the weak bonds between the atoms in a mineral's crystal structure, which allows the mineral to break along specific planes. The quality of cleavage can vary among different minerals and is an important diagnostic property used in mineral identification.


What is a mineral with smooth flat sheets?

Mica is a mineral that often forms smooth flat sheets. It is known for its perfect cleavage and ability to be easily split into thin, flexible layers. Mica is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Related Questions

What minerals have only one direction of cleavage?

Some minerals that have only one direction of cleavage include mica (like muscovite), halite (salt), and graphite. Cleavage is the tendency of minerals to break along preferred planes due to their atomic structure.


Is a graphite a fracture or a cleavage?

graphite is a basal cleavage


How is mica and calcite be alike and how can they be different?

Mica and calcite are both minerals commonly found in Earth's crust. They both have distinct cleavage patterns, with mica typically having perfect basal cleavage and calcite having rhombohedral cleavage. However, they differ in chemical composition, as mica is a silicate mineral while calcite is a carbonate mineral. Additionally, mica displays a pearly luster and tends to be softer than calcite, which has a vitreous luster and can scratch glass.


What is the name of a mineral that splits along flat surfaces?

The name of a mineral that splits along flat surfaces is called mica. Mica's cleavage planes allow it to be easily split into thin sheets.


How does the cleavage of feldspar differ from the cleavage of mica?

Biotite (black mica) and muscovite (white mica) are both minerals that have perfect basal cleavage--one direction. It cleaves into thin sheets. Feldspars (albite, oligoclase, andesine, labradorite, bytownite, anorthite) have good cleavage in two directions at nearly right angles, poor in a third direction.


How does the mica mineral break?

Mica has perfect basal cleavage.


What mineral is flat with flaky cleavage?

The mineral that is flat with flaky cleavage is mica. Mica is a group of silicate minerals that can easily be split into thin sheets or flakes. These sheets have excellent cleavage, making them easily separable into thin layers.


Does mica have fracture?

Yes, mica typically exhibits a basal or micaceous cleavage rather than a distinct fracture. This cleavage causes mica to break along flat, thin sheets.


What is the cleavage of graphite?

graphite breaks by cleavage because the bonds between its atoms are less strong in directions


Is flourite a mica mineral?

No, it does not have perfect cleavage and it is not hydrous.


What is mica's clevage?

The cleavage of mica is perfect. Sometimes it has parallel parting. The cleavage laminae is flexible and elastic. The thin translucent sheets allow geologists to view the metamorphosis.


What is a mineral of basal cleavage?

Mica is a mineral with basal cleavage. The atomic structure of mica allows it to cleave easily parallel to its basal plane, resulting in thin, sheet-like layers. This property makes mica useful in various applications such as in electronics and cosmetics.