The image below shows a mineral specimen of quartz.What is the term for the smoothly curving,clamshell-shaped surface on the sample below?

A)conchoidal fracture
B)facet
C)cleavage plane
D)striation

Question

The image below shows a mineral specimen of quartz.What is the term for the smoothly curving,clamshell-shaped surface on the sample below?

A)conchoidal fracture 
B)facet 
C)cleavage plane 
D)striation

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term for the smoothly curving, clamshell-shaped surface on the sample is conchoidal fracture. This type of fracture occurs in minerals that are brittle and have no preferred cleavage direction. When struck, they break into curved, shell-shaped pieces with smooth surfaces, similar to the shell of a clam.

The Image Below Shows a Mineral Specimen of Quartz