answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Minerals are classified by their geometry into six different mineral crystal systems. Each crystal system has its own set of parameters based on relationships between length and angles between a crystals axes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

symettery

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How do geologists use different types of crystal shapes to classify minerals?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

How are crystels of minerals classified?

I did a degree in geology, many years ago now, the complexities of this are enormous, and you could probably spend a lifetime investigating. If you are interested then it is worth exploring, some minerals look wonderful in thin section down a microscope where you can see some of the planes they will fracture on amongst many other things. But it seems i have forgotten more than i can remember right now!


How do geologists identifying minerals too small to be seen in a hand specimen?

Geologists identify minerals that are too small to be seen in a hand specimen using powerful microscopes. Minerals are classified according to their physical properties such as color, streak, cleavage, hardness and crystal form.


What type of igneous rocks are easy to classify because the minerals that they contain can be seen and identified?

Crystals are easy to classify because the minerals that they contain are easily identified. One example of this would be emeralds. Another example of a crystal is a diamond.


Are geology and crystallography closely related?

Crystallography is the study of mineral crystal systems and crystal formation, the structures which comprise minerals and combinations of which make up rock, which is of supreme interest to geologists.


Why do minerals have crystal shapes?

They have different developing sites. Restricted, open, magma, and minerals from solution.


What are some ways that minerals are classified?

There are four ways to classify a mineral:They have a crystal structureThey are formed in natureThey have a definite chemical makeupThey are a solid


What action leads to crystal formation in minerals?

Minerals often take on specific geometric crystal shapes, such as a cube or other polygon. The reason is because minerals are formed with different combinations of atoms or molecules. Different arrangements of these atoms display different geometric crystal shapes.How these atoms and molecules are arranged depends on what kind of atoms or molecules make up the mineral. The same group of atoms or molecules can be arranged in different ways and can end up as different types of minerals. Examining this crystal structure is the most accurate way to identify different minerals since the crystal structure is specific to each mineral.The molecules of the minerals and their solidification into crystals under specific conditions of temperature, solute concentrates, etc.


Which characteristic is used to identify minerals?

You can test its hardness on other minerals to find it hardness. It can help classify it better.


Why do Crystal have different shapes?

They have different developing sites. Restricted, open, magma, and minerals from solution.


What is the significance of quartz?

According to geologists, quartz is associated with other minerals and specimens which contain the same properties such as amethyst, citrine, rock crystal, rose quartz and smoky quartz.


How is calcite different from aragonite?

Chemically the same, calcite and aragonite have different crystal latticeworks, thus their crystals have a different appearance and have different crystal classifications, making them both independently recognized minerals.


How can minerals be identifyed?

There are many factors to consider when identifying minerals. However, one factor cannot be used solely to determine the type of mineral. Geologists check for color, streak, hardness, cleavage, specific gravity, and crystal form and mineral habit.