What is the term for the tendency of a crystalline substance to break along planes of weak bonding?

The term that describes the tendency of a crystalline substance to break along planes of weak bonding is cleavage. This phenomenon occurs due to the internal arrangement of atoms within the crystal structure, where certain planes are held together less tightly than others. When stress is applied to the crystal, it preferentially breaks along these planes, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces.

Understanding this concept is crucial in mining engineering and mineralogy, as the cleavage characteristics of minerals can affect their extraction and processing. Minerals with distinct cleavage are often easier to split and manipulate, which can impact the efficiency of mining operations and the quality of the extracted materials.

In contrast, other terms like fracture refer to the irregular breakage of a mineral, which does not follow inherent weaknesses in the bonding. Similarly, friction pertains to the resistance encountered when two surfaces slide against each other, and resolution relates to breaking down complex ideas or problems rather than the physical properties of minerals. Therefore, the appropriate term that describes the breaking behavior along specific planes is cleavage.