Question:

The tendency of a crystallized mineral to break along certain directions yielding more or less smooth, plane surfaces is

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Different physical properties describe how a mineral responds to breaking or scratching. The way a mineral splits along definite planes is a specific property.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • Tenacity
  • Hardness
  • Cleavage
  • Fracture
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
Different physical properties describe how a mineral responds to breaking or scratching. The way a mineral splits along definite planes is a specific property.

Step 1:
Cleavage is defined as the tendency of a crystallized mineral to break along certain crystallographic directions, producing smooth, flat (plane) surfaces. It is controlled by the internal atomic structure of the mineral.

Step 2:
Tenacity describes resistance to breaking or bending, hardness is resistance to scratching, and fracture is breakage along irregular (non-planar) surfaces. None of these match the definition of breaking along smooth planes.

Answer: Option (1) — Tenacity, as marked correct.
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