Exam 2: Matter and Minerals

Talc and graphite are two of the lowest minerals on the hardness scale. They are also described by terms like greasy or soapy. Both have a crystal structure characterized by sheet- structures at the atomic level, yet they don't behave like micas. What accounts for their unusual physical properties?

A compound is a stable chemical substance composed of two or more__________ .

An atom with 30 protons, 30 neutrons and 30 electrons has an atomic number of:

The resistance of a mineral to abrasion is known as ____________.

What physical property denotes the color of a powdered mineral?

Quartz has a characteristic conchoidal fracture, yet rock shops often sell quartz as elongate six sided objects with a pointed termination. What causes this shape?

Geologists may choose to lick a mineral to identify it. What mineral is the geologist expecting with this test?

Quartz forms at____ temperature than olivine.

Which of the following is not a common rock forming mineral but by contrast is always found in living things.

All minerals have at least ______________ elements..

The mineral fluorite is commonly _______ .

Which one of the following mineral groups exhibits a sheet- like silicate structure?

All atoms of the same element have the same number of ________.

There are people who specialize in "cutting" diamonds, yet diamond is the hardest known substance. From your knowledge of minerals, which of the following describes what the diamond cutter does?

Which the following denotes the positively charged particles in an atom's nucleus?

Which of the following physical properties is not generally used to identify most minerals?

A brown mineral specimen and a green mineral specimen have identical hardness. This means________ .

Clay minerals are light silicates that form __________.

Which of the following best defines a mineral and a rock?

Which of the following is not a fundamental particle found in atoms?