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What common adjectives can be used to describe the luster of a mineral?

a. hard
b. wet
c. pearly
d. dull
e. earthy
f. resinous

User ImGaurav
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Adjectives to describe mineral luster include pearly, dull, earthy, and resinous, which all convey different ways minerals interact with light. However, hard and wet are not descriptors for luster.

Step-by-step explanation:

Common adjectives that can describe the luster of a mineral include pearly, dull, and earthy. These terms help to convey how a mineral's surface interacts with light. For instance, a pearly luster indicates that the mineral has an iridescent reflection similar to that of a pearl. A dull luster means that the mineral does not reflect light well and has a lackluster appearance. An earthy luster describes a mineral with a rough, non-reflective surface, similar to that of unglazed porcelain.

The term resinous can also be used when a mineral appears to shine like resin. Luster is divided into two main categories, metallic and non-metallic, with metallic minerals not allowing light to pass through their atomic structure, and non-metallic minerals allowing some light to pass through, giving them a variety of appearances from shiny to dull. However, adjectives such as hard describe a mineral's resistance to scratching, and wet is not typically a descriptor used for luster since it refers to a liquid property, not the interaction of light with a mineral's surface.

User Smar
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