Multiple Choice
Identify the
letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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1.
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Minerals always exist in a(n) ____ form. a. | liquid | c. | solid | b. | gaseous | d. | organic | | | | |
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2.
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The
most abundant elements in Earth’s crust are ____. a. | aluminum and
potassium | c. | oxides and
carbonates | b. | halite and coal | d. | oxygen and silicon | | | | |
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3.
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Silver, gold, and copper have shiny surfaces and thus are said to have
____. a. | dull
luster | c. | waxy
luster | b. | metallic luster | d. | nonmetallic luster | | | | |
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4.
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Ores
near Earth’s surface generally are obtained from ____. a. | waste-removal
facilities | b. | underground mines | c. | open-pit
mines | d. | bodies of water with high concentrations of dissolved
minerals | | |
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Matching
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Match each item with the correct statement below. a. | crystal | d. | mineral | b. | gem | e. | ore | c. | magma | f. | silicate | | | | |
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5.
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Naturally occurring, inorganic solid with specific chemical composition and
crystalline structure
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6.
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Solid
in which the atoms are arranged in repeating patterns
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7.
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Mineral that contains silicon and oxygen
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8.
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Mineral that contains a useful substance that can be mined for profit
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9.
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Valuable mineral prized for its rarity and beauty
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Short Answer
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10.
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Explain the meaning of the terms naturally occurring and inorganic as
they relate to mineral characteristics.
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Compare and contrast each pair of related terms or phrases.
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11.
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density, specific gravity
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12.
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luster, streak
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13.
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What
accounts for the large diversity of silicates?
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14.
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Why
is color one of the least reliable tests for identifying minerals? Give an example to support your
answer.
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15.
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What
conditions typically result in the formation of large, well-shaped mineral crystals?
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16.
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Why
do geologists usually use a combination of tests to identify a mineral?
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17.
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Which
mineral would react to iron filings—magnetite or graphite? What special property would that
mineral have?
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18.
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What
three factors should be considered before mining a newly found mineral deposit?
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Use
this table for the six mineral samples to answer the following questions.
Mineral | Specific Gravity | Chemical Formula | Breakage Pattern | Gold | 19.3 | Au | Hackly | Apatite | 5 | Ca5(PO4)3(F, OH, Cl) | Uneven fracture | Pyrite | 5.2 | FeS2 | Uneven
fracture | Garnet | 3.5–4.3 | (Mg, Fe,
Ca) 3 (Al2Si3O12) | Conchoidal fracture | Beryl | 2.75 | Be3Al2Si6O18 | Uneven fracture | Corundum | 4 | Al2O3 | Fracture | | | | |
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19.
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List
the six minerals in order from most dense to least dense.
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Problem
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Three
pairs of mineral samples are brought to you for testing. Both samples in one pair look like gold, but
one is pyrite, or fool’s gold. Both samples in the second pair look like emeralds, but one is
nonprecious apatite. Both samples in the third pair look like rubies, but one is a less valuable
garnet. Use the information in the table to complete the dichotomous key to identify each
mineral.
Mineral | Color | Hardness | Gold | Metallic
gold | 2.5–3 | Apatite | Blue,
green | 5 | Pyrite | Metallic pale
brass, gold | 6–6.5 | Garnet | Red, deep red,
brown | 6.5–7.5 | Beryl | Bluish green,
green | 7.5–8 | Corundum | Red, deep
red | 9 | | | |
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20.
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Which
mineral can scratch at least one of the green stones?
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21.
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Which
mineral can scratch neither green stone?
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22.
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Which
mineral can scratch at least one of the red stones?
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23.
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Which
mineral can scratch neither red stone?
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24.
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Which
mineral can scratch both green stones?
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