Which term describes a solid mass of individual, randomly oriented crystals held together by a natural binding agent?

Which term describes a solid mass of individual, randomly oriented crystals held together by a natural binding agent?

• A. Aggregate
• B. Angle of incidence
• C. Average girdle diameter
• D. Appraisal

Answer: (A)

In mineralogy, an aggregate is a solid mass formed by many crystals that grew together with random orientations and are held together by a natural binding agent. This means you’re looking at a lumps of intergrown crystals rather than a single crystal with a uniform lattice, bound by cementing materials that formed during the rock’s development. The binding agent can be minerals like silica or carbonate that glue the crystals into a cohesive mass. For contrast, terms describing how light behaves (angle of incidence) or measurements (average girdle diameter) or activities like value assessment (appraisal) refer to different ideas and don’t describe the internal arrangement of crystals in a rock.

In mineralogy, an aggregate is a solid mass formed by many crystals that grew together with random orientations and are held together by a natural binding agent. This means you’re looking at a lumps of intergrown crystals rather than a single crystal with a uniform lattice, bound by cementing materials that formed during the rock’s development. The binding agent can be minerals like silica or carbonate that glue the crystals into a cohesive mass.

For contrast, terms describing how light behaves (angle of incidence) or measurements (average girdle diameter) or activities like value assessment (appraisal) refer to different ideas and don’t describe the internal arrangement of crystals in a rock.