Suppose you have two minerals. One mineral fractures into rough pieces, and a second mineral breaks into pieces with smooth surfaces.

What does this indicate?

A.
The second mineral is older than the first mineral.

B.
The two minerals have a different arrangement of their atoms.

C.
Only the second mineral has crystalline structure.

D.
The second mineral is harder than the first mineral.

Question

Suppose you have two minerals. One mineral fractures into rough pieces, and a second mineral breaks into pieces with smooth surfaces.
 
What does this indicate?
 
 A.
The second mineral is older than the first mineral.
 
 B.
The two minerals have a different arrangement of their atoms.
 
 C.
Only the second mineral has crystalline structure.
 
 D.
The second mineral is harder than the first mineral.

jebonna · Answer

It's B because depending on how their atoms are arranged it will affect its physical properties

anonymous · Answer

It's B, because cleavage or fracture depends on the internal arrangement of atoms and bonding.