In simple terms, cleavage is the splitting apart of an object into two or more fragments, while the fracture is the breaking of an object into pieces. Cleavage occurs when a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the layers of an object, while fracture happens when a force is applied in any other direction.
Cleavage usually results in smooth surfaces with no jagged edges, while fracture produces rough surfaces with lots of sharp points. Cleavage fractures are also generally less dangerous than sharp-edged fractures.
What is Cleavage?
Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to split along certain planes of weakness in its structure. The type of cleavage exhibited by a mineral depends on the crystal structure of the mineral and the plane of weakness. Common types of cleavage include basal cleavage, prismatic cleavage, and cubic cleavage. Basal cleavage results in flakes that are thin and plate-like, while prismatic cleavage produces long, thin crystals. Cubic cleavage results in isometric (cubic) crystals that break into octahedrons or cubes. Cleavage can be useful in identifying minerals, as different minerals exhibit different types of cleavage. For example, mica always exhibits perfect basal cleavage, while quartz only exhibits imperfect cleavage.
What is a Fracture?
Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to split along certain planes of weakness in its structure. The type of cleavage exhibited by a mineral depends on the crystal structure of the mineral and the plane of weakness. Common types of cleavage include basal cleavage, prismatic cleavage, and cubic cleavage. Basal cleavage results in flakes that are thin and plate-like, while prismatic cleavage produces long, thin crystals. Cubic cleavage results in isometric (cubic) crystals that break into octahedrons or cubes. Cleavage can be useful in identifying minerals, as different minerals exhibit different types of cleavage. For example, mica always exhibits perfect basal cleavage, while quartz only exhibits imperfect cleavage.
Difference between Cleavage and Fracture
Cleavage and fracture are two properties of minerals that can be used to help identify them. Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along certain planes of weakness, producing smooth, flat surfaces. Fracture, on the other hand, is the tendency of a mineral to break irregularly, producing rough surfaces. Cleavage is often caused by the way atoms are arranged in the crystal structure of a mineral, while the fracture is usually the result of environmental factors such as stress or heating. Both properties can be useful in identifying minerals, but cleavage is generally considered to be more diagnostic.
Conclusion
Cleavage and fracture are two different ways rocks can break. Cleavage is a smooth, even break that occurs when a mineral splits along flat planes. Fracture is a rough, uneven break that happens when the minerals in the rock collide with each other. Knowing the difference between cleavage and fracture is important for geologists because it helps them understand how the rocks they study were formed.
