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What else can I help you with?
Why is color not a reliable why to identify a mineral?
Several minerals may be the same color. Additionally, impurities can make it so that one mineral can come in a variety of colors.
What is an identification test for minerals that is not generally a reliable test?
Believe it or not color is the least reliable identification method for a mineral. While it can be very helpful when used along with other types of identification tests, color alone proves nearly useless. This is because several different minerals can have the same color or one mineral can be several different colors. Generally this is due to the varying chemical compositions a single mineral can take on. For example, iron, depending on its oxidation state, can cause the same mineral to be several different colors, leaving the examiner with a large list of possibilities. Also, in another example, there are hundreds of minerals that are known to be green so again the possibilities are endless.
Why is the color of the mineral not a reliable test for the identity of a mineral?
Minerals can change color based on small impurities
Does hardness help identify a mineral?
Hardness alone is not a good way to identify a mineral, other properties such as streak color, cleavage, opacity, ect also need to be taken into consideration. There is no "quick way" to properly identify a mineral.
Is a rock a mineral?
A rock is not a mineral however a rock is made of several minerals
Is the most reliable way to identify a mineral by using a combination of several tests?
Yes. I'd recommend that you used every test available to you except for taste.
Is color alone is notice usually enough to identify mineral?
No. Color is generally considered the least reliable indicator of mineral type. Many minerals can have the same or similar colors, and a single mineral often has several color varieties.
Why does it usually take several properties to identify a mineral?
Any one property can be shared by several minerals.
Why is color not a reliable why to identify a mineral?
Several minerals may be the same color. Additionally, impurities can make it so that one mineral can come in a variety of colors.
Are all rocks minerals?
Rocks may be made of one type of mineral or a combination of several.
Why isn't cement a mineral?
No. A rock is an assemblage of at least two different minerals. One mineral can't be two or more minerals.
Compare and contrast the different simple tests for mineral identification presented in the lesson?
There are several different tests that can help identify minerals. You can use any of them to determine the sample.
What is an identification test for minerals that is not generally a reliable test?
Believe it or not color is the least reliable identification method for a mineral. While it can be very helpful when used along with other types of identification tests, color alone proves nearly useless. This is because several different minerals can have the same color or one mineral can be several different colors. Generally this is due to the varying chemical compositions a single mineral can take on. For example, iron, depending on its oxidation state, can cause the same mineral to be several different colors, leaving the examiner with a large list of possibilities. Also, in another example, there are hundreds of minerals that are known to be green so again the possibilities are endless.
Why is the color of the mineral not a reliable test for the identity of a mineral?
Minerals can change color based on small impurities
Does hardness help identify a mineral?
Hardness alone is not a good way to identify a mineral, other properties such as streak color, cleavage, opacity, ect also need to be taken into consideration. There is no "quick way" to properly identify a mineral.
When does a phosphorescent mineral glow?
Several moments after exposure to an ultraviolet light, a phosphorescent mineral will glow.
Why isn't streak used to identify every mineral?
Streak is not used to identify every mineral because some minerals have the same color streak, making it unreliable for differentiation. Additionally, some minerals are too hard to leave a streak, while others may create a variable streak due to impurities. As a result, streak is just one of several properties used to identify minerals.
