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The crystal shape of halite is typically cubic due to its atomic structure and arrangement of sodium and chlorine ions. The perfect cubic cleavage of halite is a result of its strong ionic bonds between the sodium and chlorine ions, which break easily along planes of weakness, resulting in flat, smooth surfaces when the mineral is fractured.

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What property of minerals splits the mineral into pieces with uneven surfaces?

That property is called cleavage or fracture, depending on how the mineral breaks.


What property causes the mineral galena to break into tiny cubes?

The property that causes galena to break into tiny cubes is its cleavage. Galena exhibits perfect cubic cleavage, meaning that when struck or broken, it tends to break along smooth, flat planes that are parallel to the cube faces of the crystal structure.


What causes a lack of cleavage in some minerals?

A lack of cleavage in minerals can be due to their atomic structure, which may not have planes of weakness along which the mineral can easily break. Alternatively, some minerals may exhibit fracture instead of cleavage, resulting in irregular or jagged surfaces when broken. Other factors such as impurities or deformation during crystal growth can also affect the cleavage of a mineral.


Why does cleavage occur?

Cleavage means to Split.Cleavage is most often used with the following 3 meanings:MITOSIS: a phase during Mitosis when cells split and multiplyGEOLOGY: The splitting of a complex crystal/mineral formation into a simpler oneINFORMAL USE: The viewable split between a woman's breasts


What is the ability of a mineral to break along preferred directions called?

The ability of a mineral to break along preferred directions is called cleavage. Cleavage is a result of the arrangement of atoms within the mineral structure, which causes it to break in certain directions more easily than others.


Suppose you find a mineral crystal that is as tall as you arewhat kinds of environmental factors would cause such a crystalto form?

The presence of hot fluids causes the mineral crystals to become extremely large.


What causes mineral galena to break into tiny cubes?

Galena breaks into tiny cubes due to its crystal structure, which is cubic. When it fractures, it tends to break along its natural cleavage planes, resulting in the formation of small cube-shaped fragments.


What is the property of a mineral that causes it to break with rough edges?

The property of a mineral that causes it to break with rough edges is called fracture. Fracture can occur in minerals that do not exhibit cleavage, resulting in irregular or jagged surfaces when the mineral is broken. This type of breakage is typically due to the mineral's atomic structure and how its bonds are oriented.


Tendency to break along smooth flat surfaces?

Many minerals have "cleavage" that causes them to split on flat cleavage planes. Such minerals include micas (muscovite, biotite. phlogopite), calcite, gypsum, and feldspars. Cleavage is the result of the minerals' crystal structure that has weaker chemical bonds aligned in planes.


What arrangement of atoms in a repeating pattern in a mineral causes the formation of?

The arrangement of atoms in a mineral sample can cause the formation of crystals.


What causes fracture in minerals?

Fractures in minerals are caused by the breaking of atomic bonds within the crystal structure due to stress or changes in environmental conditions like temperature or pressure. These fractures can also occur when external forces, such as impact or pressure, exceed the mineral's strength, causing it to break along planes of weakness or cleavage.


Which property causes halite to break into cubes?

The property that causes halite to break into cubes is its crystal structure. Halite crystals have a cubic shape, making them naturally cleave along planes that result in cubic shapes when broken. This property is known as cleavage.