Asked by Josie Pagnucco on May 09, 2024
Verified
If a mineral fractures, how many directions of cleavage does it have?
A) four directions of cleavage
B) three directions of cleavage
C) two directions of cleavage
D) one direction of cleavage
E) no directions of cleavage
Fractures
Breaks or cracks in rock which can occur naturally through geological processes or artificially through human activity.
Cleavage
In geology, this refers to the tendency of crystalline materials to split along definite crystalline boundaries, often parallel to planes of weakness in their structure.
- Learn about the essential concepts of minerals and their physical properties.
- Study the organization of atomic structures and their bonds in minerals.
Verified Answer
CA
Christianna A. PierreMay 11, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
If a mineral fractures, it means it does not split along any flat, smooth surface, which indicates it has no directions of cleavage. Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along flat planar surfaces as determined by the structure of its crystal lattice. Fracture, on the other hand, occurs when a mineral breaks in a way that is not along the cleavage planes.
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the essential concepts of minerals and their physical properties.
- Study the organization of atomic structures and their bonds in minerals.