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Answer:
The size of a mineral specimen is not considered a good physical property for several reasons:
Subjectivity: The size of a mineral specimen can vary widely and is often a matter of personal judgment or practical considerations. Different individuals might measure the size differently, leading to inconsistencies in the reported property.
Non-Intrinsic: Physical properties are characteristics that are inherent to the mineral itself and are not dependent on the quantity or amount of the mineral. Size, on the other hand, is an extrinsic property that is influenced by factors external to the mineral, such as how it was extracted or processed.
Variability: Minerals can occur in various sizes, and the same mineral can be found in small crystals, large crystals, or even massive forms. Using size as a property doesn't provide consistent or reliable information about the mineral's identity or characteristics.
Limited Information: Size alone doesn't provide meaningful information about the mineral's chemical composition, crystal structure, hardness, cleavage, color, luster, and other important physical properties that are commonly used for mineral identification and classification.
Context Dependence: The size of a mineral specimen might not be relevant in many analytical and scientific contexts. Mineral properties that are independent of size are more useful for research, identification, and classification purposes.
To effectively describe and categorize minerals, geologists rely on intrinsic physical properties that are fundamental to the mineral's nature and are consistent across different samples. These properties help with accurate identification, classification, and understanding of mineral characteristics.