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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.
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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.
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.
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.
Is specific gravity a way to identify minerals?
Specific gravity is a useful property to help identify minerals because it can provide insights into the mineral's density compared to water. By measuring the specific gravity of a mineral, geologists can narrow down potential mineral identifications based on known specific gravity values for different minerals. However, it is not always a definitive method for mineral identification and is usually used in conjunction with other tests and observations.
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 :)
When minerals are hit with a hammer what happen?
When minerals are hit with a hammer, they may break, fracture, or shatter, depending on their hardness and crystal structure. Some minerals will form cleavage along specific planes, while others will show irregular fractures. This property can be used to help identify minerals based on their physical characteristics.
