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The "color" of anything is determined by the wavelengths of visible light that are reflected off of it's surface. When that reflected light reaches your eye, you see color. The colors you don't see are those that are asborbed by said material. Some materials emit their own light however, in which case, those emitted wavelengths would combine with those that are reflected.

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Why is a minerals color not helpful for identifying minerals?

Because some minerals have either multiple colors or their color may have faded away over the years


Why isn't color useful in classifying minerals?

Because many different minerals have multiple colors like the sapphire has like 5 different colors and the colorless one looks almost = like a diamond so you can't really classify by color. miss myself for ever: some minerals color is changes from time and weather


What happens to fluorescent minerals when light shines on them?

Fluorescent minerals absorb light energy and re-emit it as visible light in different colors. When light shines on them, they become energized and glow with vibrant colors.


What minerals properties is not very useful in identifying minerals?

One mineral property that is not very useful in identifying minerals is color, as many minerals can occur in a wide range of colors due to impurities or variations in their chemical composition. Additionally, some minerals may share similar colors, leading to confusion in identification. For example, quartz can appear in various colors, while minerals like pyrite and gold can both be yellow, making color a less reliable characteristic for accurate identification.


Why is the color of a mineral not realiable test for the identity of the mineral?

The color of a mineral can vary widely due to impurities, weathering, or the presence of different chemical elements, making it an unreliable indicator of a mineral's identity. Additionally, many minerals can appear in multiple colors, leading to confusion and misidentification. For instance, quartz can be found in colors like clear, purple, or smoky, while other minerals may share similar colors but have distinct properties. Therefore, relying solely on color can lead to inaccuracies in mineral identification.

Related Questions

Why is a minerals color not helpful for identifying minerals?

Because some minerals have either multiple colors or their color may have faded away over the years


How do the mountains rocks change colors o the minerals?

When you look at a rock and see different colors, those colors are minerals .The pressure and heat causes the minerals in the rock to change into different minerals which cause the different colors in the rocks.


What makes basalt not a minerals?

Basalt consists of multiple minerals. Pyroxene, calcium-rich plagioclase, and sometimes olivine are key minerals in basalt. Basalt that cools rapidly may form glass, which contains no minerals because it lacks a crystal structure.


Do minerals come in different colors?

yes


What makes gabbro a rock and not a mineral?

Gabbro is usually made up of minerals such as pyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole and olivine which makes it an intrusive igneous rock.


Why isn't color useful in classifying minerals?

Because many different minerals have multiple colors like the sapphire has like 5 different colors and the colorless one looks almost = like a diamond so you can't really classify by color. miss myself for ever: some minerals color is changes from time and weather


Which makes up most minerals-single elements or compound?

Most minerals are compounds, made up of two or more elements. Very few minerals are composed of only a single element, such as native copper or gold. The majority of minerals form through complex chemical reactions involving multiple elements.


How minerals get their colors?

The color is derived from the chemical composition of the mineral, or from staining or inclusions of other minerals.


What makes brown color?

brown is a fusion of multiple colors arbitrarily mashed together, thats why it tends to be ugly and that is also why anus spooge is brown.


Can minerals be found in a variety of colors and shades?

yes


How do shells get their colors?

From the different minerals the animals feed on


What minerals are in colors?

Ex.: emerald, mallachite, chrysoberyl