The tendency for minerals to break along distinct planar surfaces that have a specific orientation in relation to the crystal structure is called
A) fracture.
B) cleavage.
C) specific gravity.
D) hardness.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The specific type of breaking described in the question is known as cleavage. Fracture is a more general term for when a mineral breaks irregularly or in a non-planar way. Specific gravity is the measure of the density of a mineral compared to water, and hardness is a measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching.

The Tendency for Minerals to Break Along Distinct Planar Surfaces