Contents of 2.6 What determines the physical properties of minerals?

2.6 What determines the <br />physical properties of minerals?

Images of two samples one an electrical insulator and the other an electrical conductor, see long description for details

Same composition - different structure

One is all covalent, one has van der Waals bonds

Black/gray

Opaque

1 cleavage

Hardness: 2

SG: 2.23

Electrical conductor

Various colors

Transparent

4 cleavages

Hardness: 10

SG: 3.51

Electrical insulator

Fig 2.23