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Crystals come in different shapes, determined by how the molecules of compounds from which they are made can be packed together. For instance a quarts crystal is hexagonal in shape, while galena and pyrites crystals are cubic. There are six different crystal shapes or forms determined by the axes and degree of symmetry of the crystal and the angles at which the axes intersect.

Subordinate to the overall crystal shapes, many crystalline substances have within them planes of weakness along which the crystal may break these lines are related to the crystals symmetry and caused by how the molecules are aligned within the crystal. This is cleavage.

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Related Questions

Does a mineral have crystal form but no cleavage?

All minerals have a crystal form, but not all have cleavage.


What is the difference between crystal form and cleavage?

Crystal form refers to the external geometric shape of a mineral, which is determined by its internal atomic arrangement. Cleavage, on the other hand, is the way a mineral breaks along specific planes due to its weak bonds in certain directions. Cleavage is a physical property, while crystal form is a visual characteristic.


Could a mineral have a crystal form but no cleavage?

Yes. Quartz can have very well-formed crystals but lacks cleavage.


What is the difference between the crystal faces and cleavage faces?

cleavage surface are smooth and shiny as the fracture is due to weakness in the bonds between the atoms rather than a breakage. Crystal face is where the crystal development such as twinning take place.


What is obsidian's cleavage?

Obsidian does not have cleavage because of the way it forms. Obsidian is essentially nature's form of glass and so it has no regular or patterned crystal structure. Without that crystal structure, there is no cleavage.


The most useful physical properties for identifying minerals are?

The most useful physical properties for identifying minerals are color, luster, hardness, cleavage, fracture, streak, and specific gravity. These properties help geologists distinguish between different minerals based on their unique characteristics.


What is flint's cleavage?

Flint does not have cleavage because it is a microcrystalline form of quartz and does not exhibit cleavage like minerals with well-defined crystal structures. Flint tends to fracture conchoidally, producing smooth curved surfaces when broken.


When a crystal is broken the way it breaks is called its?

When a crystal is broken, the way it breaks is called its cleavage. Cleavage is the way the crystal naturally breaks along planes of weakness due to its internal atomic structure.


What is the difference between crystal habit and cleavage?

i think crystal habit is the minerals structure, while cleavage is the patter it breaks into.


Which property of a mineral most directly results from the internal arrangements of its atoms?

crystal shape


How can you distinguish cleavage surfaces from crystal surfaces on a mineral?

Cleavage surfaces will be smooth, flat, and exhibit specific patterns of breakage, depending on the mineral's cleavage plane. Crystal surfaces, on the other hand, will display the crystal shape and characteristic geometric patterns unique to that mineral. Crystal surfaces can also sometimes show growth lines or striations indicating the crystal's formation process.


What is the name for the overall three-dimensional solid structure that samples of such compounds form?

The overall three-dimensional solid structure that samples of compounds form is called a crystal lattice. This lattice structure is responsible for the properties of the crystal, such as its shape, cleavage, and density.