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What is the most unreliable characteristic of a mineral?

Color is often considered the most unreliable characteristic of a mineral because it can vary widely even within the same mineral species. Factors such as impurities, alteration, and external conditions can all influence the color of a mineral, leading to inconsistencies in color as a reliable identification feature.


Which of the following characteristics is least useful in identifying a mineral?

habit, color, streak, luster, density, hardness, cleavage, fracture, tenacity


What is the main mineral marble is made up of?

Marble is primarily composed of the mineral calcite, which is a form of calcium carbonate. Other minerals found in marble can include dolomite, serpentine, and various other impurities that give marble its characteristic color and veining.


What characteristic is used to determine the color of a mineral's powder?

The characteristic used to determine the color of a mineral's powder is known as its "streak color." This is achieved by scratching the mineral against an unglazed porcelain plate to observe the color of the powdered residue left behind. Streak color can sometimes differ from the visible color of the mineral.


What is a physical characteristic determined by the arrangement of the atoms within the mineral?

Cleavage is a physical characteristic determined by the arrangement of atoms within a mineral. Cleavage describes how a mineral breaks along planes of weakness due to its atomic structure, creating smooth, flat surfaces. The number and orientation of these planes are unique to each mineral.