Question

Why do certain minerals usually break along flat surfaces while other minerals break unevenly?

A) Isometric crystal structure
B) Cubic crystal structure
C) Anisotropic properties
D) Amorphous structure

Answer 1

Certain minerals break along flat planes (cleavage) due to their isometric crystal structure, while others break unevenly (fracture) because of their amorphous structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

Certain minerals usually break along flat surfaces while other minerals break unevenly due to their crystal structure and properties. Some minerals have an isometric (cubic) crystal structure, which means that their atoms or ions are arranged in a regular pattern with strong bonds in all directions. These minerals tend to break along flat, smooth planes called cleavage planes. On the other hand, minerals with an amorphous structure, which lacks an organized internal structure, break unevenly along irregular surfaces known as fracture.