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Silicate minerals exhibit cleavage based on their crystal structure and the bonding between silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. Those with a more organized arrangement of tetrahedra, such as micas and feldspars, tend to have well-defined cleavage planes due to weaker bonds along specific directions. In contrast, silicates with a more complex structure or stronger bonds in multiple directions, like quartz, typically do not exhibit cleavage and instead fracture irregularly. Thus, the arrangement of tetrahedra and the nature of the chemical bonds dictate the presence or absence of cleavage in silicate minerals.
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What is the tendency of a mineral to break along certain planes?
The tendency of some minerals to break along certain planes is called, "Cleavage".
What property describes how a mineral breaks?
The property is referred to as cleavage or fracture, the tendency, or lack of tendency, of a mineral to break along planes of weakness. Some minerals have multiple planes of cleavage. Some have none, and are said to exhibit fracture.Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces. The way in which a mineral breaks depends on how its atoms are bonded, or joined together. In a mineral that displays cleavage, the bonds of the crystal structure are weaker in the directions in which the mineral breaks.fracture is the tendency of a mineral to break into irregular pieces. Some minerals such as quartz break into pieces with curved surfaces. Other minerals may break differently-perhaps into splinters or into rough or jagged pieces. In a mineral that displays fracture, the bonds that join the atoms are fairly equal in strength in all directions. The mineral does not break along flat surfaces because there are no particular directions ofweakness in its crystal structure.
Explain why a mineral such as topaz can display both cleavage and fracture?
Cleavage is when a mineral breaks into flat pieces. Fracture is when a mineral breaks into irregular pieces. Topaz atom bonds are weaker in some parts and stronger in others. When it is equally strong then it breaks into irregular pieces and if it all weak in a flat line then it will be flat.
What are some unique properties that can be used to identify minerals?
1.Color 2.Streak 3.Luster 4.Fluorescence 5.Chemical 6.Composition 7.Hardness 8.density 9.fracture 10.cleavage 11.crystal form
What are some home products that contain minerals?
some rings can have minerals.
Do all minerals have a cleavage?
No, not all minerals have cleavage. Cleavage is a property in which a mineral breaks along planes of weakness to form smooth surfaces. Some minerals exhibit cleavage, while others may fracture irregularly or have no cleavage at all.
Do all silicate minerals contain iron?
silicon, oxygen, iron and magnesium
Most minerals do not split apart evenly instead they have a characteristic type of?
Cleavage. Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces. The quality of cleavage can vary among different minerals, with some exhibiting perfect cleavage and others displaying no cleavage at all.
The building blocks of the silicate minerals is what?
The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is the building block of silicate minerals. The word "silicate" means the compound contains silicon in some form.
Are asteroids made of iron and nickel?
Some asteroids are. Most are composed of a mixture of silicate minerals. Others are a mixture of the two.
What are some examples of nonsilicate minerals?
A non silicate mineral is a mineral that does not hold silica tetrahedron. Some examples of non silicate minerals are oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, and carbonates.
Major family of rock forming minerals?
The major family of rock-forming minerals is the silicate minerals. These minerals are made up of silicon and oxygen atoms, often combined with other elements like aluminum, iron, and magnesium. Some examples of silicate minerals include quartz, feldspar, and mica.
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.
Can minerals with cleavage have more than one cleavage plane If so give a example?
Yes, some minerals can exhibit cleavage along multiple planes. For example, mica minerals like muscovite and biotite can have perfect cleavage along one direction and good cleavage along another direction due to their layered crystal structure.
The tendency for some minerals to break along flat surfaces is known as?
Cleavage. Minerals with cleavage have a tendency to break along planes of weakness determined by their crystal structure, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces. Cleavage is a key diagnostic property used to identify minerals.
What causes some minerals to break along smootH surfaces?
Cleavage
Why do some minerals break by fracturing?
Minerals can have a cleavage plane, multiple cleavage planes, or no cleavage plane. A cleavage plane is an area of weakness in the crystalline structure where the mineral is prone to splitting.
