Introduction
Mineral habit refers to the physical appearance of a mineral. It is the way that a mineral appears when it is found in nature or, when cut, polished, or otherwise prepared for study. Mineral habit is an important concept in geology as it can be used to identify minerals and understand Earth’s history.
Compare and Contrast Different Mineral Habits
There are two main types of mineral habits: crystal habit and aggregate habit. Crystal habit refers to the shape of an individual crystal or crystal group. Aggregate habit refers to the arrangement of multiple crystals in a single specimen.
Explanation of Mineral Habit Classification
The study of mineral habits is known as crystallography. Crystallographers classify mineral habits according to their crystal form, which is determined by the number of faces on the crystal. The crystal form is then used to determine the crystal system, which describes the symmetrical relationships between the crystal’s faces.
Types of Shapes Associated with Mineral Habits
Crystals come in a variety of shapes, including cubic, hexagonal, and octahedral. Cubic crystals have six equal faces and are said to be isometric. Hexagonal crystals have six sides that taper to a point and are said to be trigonal. Octahedral crystals have eight sides and are said to be tetragonal.
Importance of Mineral Habits in Geology
The study of mineral habits is important in geology for two reasons. First, it can be used to identify minerals. By understanding the different types of crystal shapes, geologists can quickly and accurately identify unknown specimens. Second, understanding mineral habits can help geologists to better understand Earth’s history. By studying the different types of mineral habits, geologists can learn more about the formation of rocks and the conditions under which they formed.
Influence of Mineral Habits on Properties
The shape of a mineral’s crystal can also influence its physical properties. For example, minerals with a cubic habit tend to have perfect cleavage, meaning that they break into equal pieces along certain planes. Minerals with a hexagonal habit tend to have uneven cleavage, meaning that they break into uneven pieces along certain planes. In addition, minerals with an octahedral habit tend to have conchoidal fracture, meaning that they break into curved pieces.
Conclusion
In summary, mineral habit is the physical appearance of a mineral. It is classified according to crystal form and crystal system. Common shapes associated with mineral habits include cubic, hexagonal, and octahedral. Mineral habits are important in geology because they can be used to identify minerals and understand Earth’s history. Finally, mineral habits can influence a mineral’s physical properties, such as cleavage and fracture.
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