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What is obsidian's cleavage?
Obsidian does not have cleavage because of the way it forms. Obsidian is essentially nature's form of glass and so it has no regular or patterned crystal structure. Without that crystal structure, there is no cleavage.
What crystal shape does obsidian have?
Obsidian is an amorphous mineral, meaning it does not have a regular crystal structure like other minerals. Instead, it forms as volcanic glass with a smooth and uniform texture.
Is obsidian rock or gemstone?
Obsidian is an extrusive igneous rock. Volcanic in origin, it is very common in recent lava flows. Obsidian is primarily made of glass. Obsidian is amorphous, lacking any crystal structure found in gemstones. For more details, try asking the question - "What is obsidian"
What crystal group is obsidian in?
No one knows my namestake like I do (except Crystallography majors) and in reality obsidian is not quite classified as a type of crystal at all, as its composition is too complex to comprise a single mineral, it's usually just considered a mineraloid.
What is the igneous rock that cooled too quickly for a crystal structure to form?
Obsidian is an example of an igneous rock that cooled too quickly for a crystal structure to form. It is a volcanic glass that is smooth, shiny, and exhibits conchoidal fracturing.
Does obsidian exhibits conchoidal fracture?
Yes, obsidian exhibits conchoidal fracture, which is a smooth, curved breakage pattern characterized by concentric ridges. This is due to its lack of internal crystal structure, which causes it to break in a unique, curved manner.
Is obsidian an element or compound?
Obsidian is neither an element nor a compound. It is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava cools rapidly without crystal growth.
What igneous rock has no visible crystals?
Obsidian is an igneous rock that has no visible crystals due to its rapid cooling process, which prevents crystal formation. It is often dark in color and has a glassy appearance.
Does the obsidian cool quickly?
Obsidian cools relatively quickly compared to other types of volcanic glass due to its composition and the rapid cooling process during its formation. The rate of cooling affects the crystal structure and appearance of the obsidian, leading to its characteristic smooth and glassy texture.
Which characteristic provides the best evidence that obsidian rock formed in an extrusive environment?
The glassy texture of obsidian is the best evidence that it formed in an extrusive environment. Obsidian is rapidly cooled lava with no time for crystal growth, resulting in a smooth, glass-like texture.
Is there such thing as obsidian?
Yes, obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava cools rapidly, often with minimal crystal growth. It is commonly black in color and has been used historically for tools and decorative items due to its sharp edges when fractured.
What igneous rock has a smooth glass like texture?
Obsidian is an igneous rock that has a smooth glass-like texture. It is formed when lava cools rapidly without crystal formation, resulting in a glassy texture.
