geology exam

Silicate minerals are subdivided into six groups based on the way silica tetrahedra are

arranged and bonded.

Which of the following minerals is more commonly known as rock salt?

halite

Diamonds are usually found in a rock called

kimberlite.

The mineral class that makes up more than 95% of the continental crust is termed the

silicates

A mineral property defined as the density of the mineral sample divided by the density of water (1.0 g/cm3) is

specific gravity

The color of a mineral in powdered form is termed

streak.

Pyrite (FeS2) is in which mineral class?

sulfides

Which of the following common minerals is softest?

talc

The atomic number of an element corresponds to the

umber of protons.

The diamonds we typically see today in engagement rings do not display their natural crystal faces but rather ________, which are made by grinding the gem on a spinning lap.

b. facets

Hardness refers to a mineral's ability to resist

being scratched.

...Calcite (CaCO3) is in which mineral class?

carbonates

Minerals are grouped into mineral classes primarily on the basis of

chemistry, specifically the anions within the chemical formula.

The tendency for minerals to break along distinct planar surfaces that have a specific orientation in relation to the crystal structure is called

fracture

What type of silicate is the mineral mica?

framework silicate

We distinguish between a mineral and a naturally formed glass (such as obsidian) because

glass does not have a fixed crystal structure.

The way a mineral scatters light is a diagnostic property termed

luster

Minerals are all naturally occurring solid substances with a definable chemical composition. They must also possess

metallic elements, such as iron, calcium, or magnesium.

Which of the following are good conductors due to the ability of the electrons in the atoms to move around freely?

metals

When a solution becomes oversaturated, new solid particles are said to

precipitate from the solution

Which of the following choices lists atomic particles ordered from smallest to largest in size?

proton, electron, nucleus, atom

Diamond and graphite are both polymorphs of

protons plus neutrons.

The atomic mass of an element approximately equals the number of

protons plus neutrons.

When two different minerals have the same chemical formula but different crystal structures, they are said to be

pseudomorphs

Which of the following common minerals is hardest?

quartz

On the Mohs hardness scale, quartz has a hardness of 7 and calcite has a hardness of 3. This means that

quartz can scratch calcite