Question 1

Which of the following statements about mineral identification is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Many types of minerals occur in more than one color. 
B)  Many different types of minerals may exhibit the same color. 
C)  Color is one of the most reliable ways by which minerals can be identified. 
D)  A mineral may receive its color from only minute amounts of specific elements included within its structure. 
A)  Many types of minerals occur in more than one color. 
B)  Many different types of minerals may exhibit the same color. 
C)  Color is one of the most reliable ways by which minerals can be identified. 
D)  A mineral may receive its color from only minute amounts of specific elements included within its structure.

Question 2

The term polymorphism refers to:

Accepted Answer

A)  two mineral crystals that have the same chemical composition but different crystal structure. 
B)  two mineral crystals that have the same identity, but whose atomic structure includes ionic substitutions by alternate elements. 
C)  two mineral crystals that, because of space restrictions, reached different degrees of development. 
D)  two mineral crystals that have the same identity but different color, shape, or texture. 
A)  two mineral crystals that have the same chemical composition but different crystal structure. 
B)  two mineral crystals that have the same identity, but whose atomic structure includes ionic substitutions by alternate elements. 
C)  two mineral crystals that, because of space restrictions, reached different degrees of development. 
D)  two mineral crystals that have the same identity but different color, shape, or texture.

Question 3

The element carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons, and one isotope has 8 neutrons. The atomic number of this isotope of carbon is:

Accepted Answer

A)  6. 
B)  12. 
C)  14. 
D)  20. 
A)  6. 
B)  12. 
C)  14. 
D)  20.

Question 4

The silicon- oxygen tetrahedron consists of:

Accepted Answer

A)  one large silicon atom and four smaller oxygen atoms. 
B)  one large oxygen atom and four smaller silicon atoms. 
C)  one small oxygen atom and four larger silicon atoms. 
D)  one small silicon atom and four larger oxygen atoms. 
A)  one large silicon atom and four smaller oxygen atoms. 
B)  one large oxygen atom and four smaller silicon atoms. 
C)  one small oxygen atom and four larger silicon atoms. 
D)  one small silicon atom and four larger oxygen atoms.

Question 5

Describe the silicon- oxygen tetrahedron. Why is it important?

Accepted Answer

The silicon- oxygen tetrahedron consists

Question 6

Which of the following characteristics is NOT imparted by metallic bonding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Extreme hardness. 
B)  High specific gravity. 
C)  Metallic luster. 
D)  Conductivity of electric current. 
A)  Extreme hardness. 
B)  High specific gravity. 
C)  Metallic luster. 
D)  Conductivity of electric current.

Question 7

Explain why the crystals of any given mineral always form in the same geometric shape if allowed to grow in an unrestricted space.

Accepted Answer

Every crystal of a given mineral has the

Question 8

All of the following statements concerning nonsilicates are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  they constitute only about 5% of the Earth's crust. 
B)  they form the two most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. 
C)  the native elements do not combine in nature with other elements. 
D)  they are the best source for metals. 
A)  they constitute only about 5% of the Earth's crust. 
B)  they form the two most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. 
C)  the native elements do not combine in nature with other elements. 
D)  they are the best source for metals.

Question 9

Silicon- oxygen tetrahedra can form as independent tetrahedra, single chains, double chains, sheets, and frameworks. A list of the minerals corresponding to these, in order, are:

Accepted Answer

A)  pyroxene, mica, quartz, amphibole, olivine. 
B)  olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, quartz. 
C)  olivine, quartz, mica, feldspar, amphibole. 
D)  quartz, feldspar, olivine, amphibole, mica. 
A)  pyroxene, mica, quartz, amphibole, olivine. 
B)  olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, quartz. 
C)  olivine, quartz, mica, feldspar, amphibole. 
D)  quartz, feldspar, olivine, amphibole, mica.

Question 10

Mineral cleavage indicates:

Accepted Answer

A)  unequal bond strength in the crystal. 
B)  brittle nature of the mineral. 
C)  equal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
D)  strength of the bonds in the crystal structure. 
A)  unequal bond strength in the crystal. 
B)  brittle nature of the mineral. 
C)  equal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
D)  strength of the bonds in the crystal structure.

Question 11

Smectite clay is used for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  to heal and patch fractures in rock and concrete. 
B)  as a prime ingredient in kitty litter. 
C)  as a crucial cleansing agent for large industrial spills. 
D)  as a common cure for intestinal ailments. 
A)  to heal and patch fractures in rock and concrete. 
B)  as a prime ingredient in kitty litter. 
C)  as a crucial cleansing agent for large industrial spills. 
D)  as a common cure for intestinal ailments.

Question 12

A van der Waals bond is a type of:

Accepted Answer

A)  covalent bond. 
B)  intermolecular bond. 
C)  metallic bond. 
D)  ionic bond. 
A)  covalent bond. 
B)  intermolecular bond. 
C)  metallic bond. 
D)  ionic bond.

Question 13

Which characteristics of an atom determine whether it will bind with other atoms?

Accepted Answer

A)  Number of protons and net electrical charge. 
B)  Number of neutrons and number of electrons in the outer shell. 
C)  Number of neutrons and net electrical charge. 
D)  Number of electrons in the outer shell and net electrical charge. 
A)  Number of protons and net electrical charge. 
B)  Number of neutrons and number of electrons in the outer shell. 
C)  Number of neutrons and net electrical charge. 
D)  Number of electrons in the outer shell and net electrical charge.

Question 14

One carbon isotope has 6 protons, 8 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Its atomic mass is:

Accepted Answer

A)  6. 
B)  12. 
C)  14. 
D)  20. 
A)  6. 
B)  12. 
C)  14. 
D)  20.

Question 15

Many minerals are important in our everyday lives. List four of these minerals and their uses.

Accepted Answer

(Answers will vary and could include fou

Question 16

Fracture in a mineral indicates:

Accepted Answer

A)  brittle nature of the minerals. 
B)  unequal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
C)  strength of the bonds in the crystal structure. 
D)  equal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
A)  brittle nature of the minerals. 
B)  unequal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
C)  strength of the bonds in the crystal structure. 
D)  equal bond strength in the crystal structure.

Question 17

The most important (i.e., most abundant) mineral group is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  carbonates. 
B)  oxides. 
C)  sulfates. 
D)  silicates. 
A)  carbonates. 
B)  oxides. 
C)  sulfates. 
D)  silicates.

Question 18

In metallic bonding, which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  A cloud of electrons roams independently, unattached to any specific nucleus. 
B)  The electron cloud is negatively charged and is attracted to the positively charged nuclei. 
C)  Metallic bonding is the most common type of bonding among minerals. 
D)  Atoms are packed tightly together. 
A)  A cloud of electrons roams independently, unattached to any specific nucleus. 
B)  The electron cloud is negatively charged and is attracted to the positively charged nuclei. 
C)  Metallic bonding is the most common type of bonding among minerals. 
D)  Atoms are packed tightly together.

Question 19

The mineral quartz is distinctive because it consists of:

Accepted Answer

A)  a three- dimensional framework in which the silicon atoms are often replaced with atoms of aluminum, potassium, sodium, or calcium. 
B)  a three- dimensional framework composed entirely of silicon and oxygen. 
C)  independent tetrahedra composed entirely of silicon and oxygen. 
D)  independent tetrahedra in which the silicon atoms are often replaced with atoms of aluminum, potassium, sodium, or calcium. 
A)  a three- dimensional framework in which the silicon atoms are often replaced with atoms of aluminum, potassium, sodium, or calcium. 
B)  a three- dimensional framework composed entirely of silicon and oxygen. 
C)  independent tetrahedra composed entirely of silicon and oxygen. 
D)  independent tetrahedra in which the silicon atoms are often replaced with atoms of aluminum, potassium, sodium, or calcium.

Question 20

Olivine is a common, iron- bearing silicate mineral, yet iron is mined from oxides such as hematite and magnetite. Why?

Accepted Answer

Olivine forms at very high temperatures

Which of the following statements about mineral identification is NOT true?

The term polymorphism refers to:

The element carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons, and one isotope has 8 neutrons. The atomic number of this isotope of carbon is:

The silicon- oxygen tetrahedron consists of:

Describe the silicon- oxygen tetrahedron. Why is it important?

Which of the following characteristics is NOT imparted by metallic bonding?

Explain why the crystals of any given mineral always form in the same geometric shape if allowed to grow in an unrestricted space.

All of the following statements concerning nonsilicates are true EXCEPT:

Silicon- oxygen tetrahedra can form as independent tetrahedra, single chains, double chains, sheets, and frameworks. A list of the minerals corresponding to these, in order, are:

Mineral cleavage indicates:

Smectite clay is used for all of the following EXCEPT:

A van der Waals bond is a type of:

Which characteristics of an atom determine whether it will bind with other atoms?

One carbon isotope has 6 protons, 8 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Its atomic mass is:

Many minerals are important in our everyday lives. List four of these minerals and their uses.

Fracture in a mineral indicates:

The most important (i.e., most abundant) mineral group is the:

In metallic bonding, which of the following is NOT true?

The mineral quartz is distinctive because it consists of:

Olivine is a common, iron- bearing silicate mineral, yet iron is mined from oxides such as hematite and magnetite. Why?

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

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Exam 2: Minerals

Which of the following statements about mineral identification is NOT true?

The term polymorphism refers to:

The element carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons, and one isotope has 8 neutrons. The atomic number of this isotope of carbon is:

The silicon- oxygen tetrahedron consists of:

Describe the silicon- oxygen tetrahedron. Why is it important?

Which of the following characteristics is NOT imparted by metallic bonding?

Explain why the crystals of any given mineral always form in the same geometric shape if allowed to grow in an unrestricted space.

All of the following statements concerning nonsilicates are true EXCEPT:

Silicon- oxygen tetrahedra can form as independent tetrahedra, single chains, double chains, sheets, and frameworks. A list of the minerals corresponding to these, in order, are:

Mineral cleavage indicates:

Smectite clay is used for all of the following EXCEPT:

A van der Waals bond is a type of:

Which characteristics of an atom determine whether it will bind with other atoms?

One carbon isotope has 6 protons, 8 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Its atomic mass is:

Many minerals are important in our everyday lives. List four of these minerals and their uses.

Fracture in a mineral indicates:

The most important (i.e., most abundant) mineral group is the:

In metallic bonding, which of the following is NOT true?

The mineral quartz is distinctive because it consists of:

Olivine is a common, iron- bearing silicate mineral, yet iron is mined from oxides such as hematite and magnetite. Why?

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters