In the study of minerals, cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces. It is a characteristic that helps in the identification and classification of minerals. Galena, a lead sulfide mineral, is an important ore of lead and is recognized for its distinctive cleavage properties.
When assessing which type of cleavage Galena exhibits, let's analyze the options:
- Octahedral
- Cubic
- Irregular fracture surface
- Regular fracture surface
The correct answer for the cleavage of Galena mineral is cubic.
This is because Galena cleaves along three perpendicular planes, forming cube-like structures. This characteristic is due to its crystalline structure, which belongs to the isometric system. Cubic cleavage is a diagnostic feature of Galena, making it readily identifiable among mineral specimens.