If a mineral’s growth is "restricted in any way," what is the most likely outcome for its physical structure?

AIt will develop magnetism.

BIt will become an amorphous mineral.

CIt will increase its relative density.

DIt will exhibit better transparency

Answer:

Minerals are crystalline solids, meaning their atoms are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating three-dimensional structure. This ordered arrangement is known as a crystal lattice.
The shape of a mineral's crystal is determined by the internal arrangement of its atoms and ions.
External crystal form (or habit) is the characteristic shape a mineral takes when it has grown unimpeded in an open space.

When a mineral's growth is restricted by surrounding obstacles or limited space, it cannot form its ideal, characteristic crystal shape.
Instead of developing well-defined faces and angles, the mineral's atomic structure will adapt to the available space.
This results in a lack of a regular, ordered external structure. Such minerals are described as amorphous.
Amorphous, in this context, means lacking a definite crystalline structure or shape. It does not necessarily mean the atoms themselves are randomly arranged internally, but rather that the overall external form is irregular and non-crystalline.
Examples of minerals that can occur in amorphous forms include opal and obsidian, though they are technically considered mineraloids because they lack a true crystalline structure.
In competitive exams, understanding that restricted growth leads to an irregular or amorphous form is key. Contrast this with minerals that grow in cavities or open spaces, which often exhibit distinct crystal shapes (e.g., quartz crystals in a geode).

Crystalline: Possessing a regular, ordered internal atomic structure that often leads to a characteristic external shape.
Amorphous: Lacking a definite crystal structure or shape; irregular.
Crystal Habit: The characteristic external shape of a mineral crystal, determined by its internal atomic arrangement.

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