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Because each mineral will have properties that when considered together will uniquely identify it. For example, I have two crystals, both are very hard, optically transparent, chemically resistant to acid and alkali, mechanically inelastic, brittle, electrical insulators, non-magnetic etc etc etc. One is green and the other is clear. One of them might be olivine and the other might be quartz due to their color alone. Other properties, if measured, could make me more certain, but I have a good guess already. The more properties you measure,the more possibilities you can eliminate until you have only one possibility to consider. The green one might be an emerald and the clear one could be a diamond. What property do I still have to measure? Try refractive index? That would clinch it.
What else can I help you with?
What are the seven characteristics used to identify minerals?
The seven characteristics used to identify minerals are color, streak, luster, hardness, cleavage, fracture, and specific gravity. These properties can help differentiate one mineral from another based on their unique physical and chemical properties.
What are three methods that are used to identify bacteria?
Three common methods used to identify bacteria include Gram staining, biochemical tests, and molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or sequencing of the bacterial genome. These methods help to determine the characteristics of the bacteria, such as cell wall composition, metabolic characteristics, and genetic makeup, which aid in identification.
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.
Is specific gravity a way to identify minerals?
Minerals will have many different characteristics which can be used together to identify them.Density or specific gravity would be one element of the identification.You might also use: Color & Texture Melting Point Reactions with various chemicals. Identification of reaction products.
Why cant color alone be used too identify most minerals?
Minerals can change color based on small impurities.
What are three properties used to identify minerals?
x-rays
What are the 8 characteristics used to classify minerals?
The eight characteristics used to classify minerals are color, streak, luster, cleavage, fracture, hardness, specific gravity, and crystal form. These properties help geologists identify and differentiate between different types of minerals based on their physical and chemical characteristics.
What are the seven characteristics used to identify minerals?
The seven characteristics used to identify minerals are color, streak, luster, hardness, cleavage, fracture, and specific gravity. These properties can help differentiate one mineral from another based on their unique physical and chemical properties.
What are six physical characteristics that are used to identify minerals?
Color, luster (appearance of light reflecting off the surface), streak (color of a mineral in powdered form), hardness (ability to resist scratching), cleavage (tendency to break along flat surfaces), and specific gravity (density compared to water) are physical characteristics used to identify minerals.
Identify the physical properties that can be used to recognize and distinguish between minerals.?
Minerals can be recognized and distinguished based on physical properties such as color, luster, hardness, cleavage or fracture, specific gravity, and crystal habit. These properties can help in identifying different minerals as they each have unique characteristics that can be used for classification.
Are physical properties are used to identify minerals?
yes it is
What is the following is used to identify common rock forming minerals and ore minerals?
cheese
How can magnetism be used to identify minerals?
Magnetism can be used to identify minerals by observing their response to a magnetic field. Some minerals are attracted to a magnet, some are repelled, and some show no response at all. By studying these behaviors, geologists can help to identify certain minerals based on their magnetic properties.
What are two items used to classify minerals?
Luster and composition are two characteristics used to classify minerals.
What is the name of the scale we use to identify minerals?
The scale used to identify minerals is called the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) based on their ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals.
What properties are not used to identify minerals?
I think its Specific Gravity :)
Magnetism reactivity and fluorescence are three special properties used to identify minerals?
yes it is part of identifying minerals. some are also color, streak, luster, density, hardness, etc. hope this helped!
