Question

1. explain the difference between the two types of breakage: a. cleavage → b. fracture →

Explanation:

• Cleavage: It is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat, smooth planes that are parallel to zones of weak bonding in the mineral's crystal structure. These breaks are predictable and produce flat surfaces. For example, mica has perfect cleavage, breaking into thin sheets.
• Fracture: It is the way a mineral breaks when it does not break along cleavage planes (i.e., when there are no planes of weak bonding for it to break along). Fractures produce irregular, non - flat surfaces. There are different types like conchoidal (smooth, curved like broken glass), uneven, or fibrous. For example, quartz typically shows conchoidal fracture.

Answer:

a. Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to break along flat, smooth, predictable planes parallel to weak bonding zones in its crystal structure, producing flat surfaces (e.g., mica).
b. Fracture: The way a mineral breaks when not along cleavage planes, producing irregular, non - flat surfaces (e.g., quartz with conchoidal fracture).