Question 1

In a crystal structure, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Smaller positive ions occur between larger negative ions. 
B)  Negative ions bond together by sharing electrons. 
C)  Smaller negative ions occur between larger positive ions. 
D)  Negative ions bond proportionally with equal- sized positive ions. 
A)  Smaller positive ions occur between larger negative ions. 
B)  Negative ions bond together by sharing electrons. 
C)  Smaller negative ions occur between larger positive ions. 
D)  Negative ions bond proportionally with equal- sized positive ions.

Question 2

A mineraloid is the same as a mineral EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  it does not form from the cooling of molten rock. 
B)  it is not inorganic. 
C)  it does not possess an orderly internal arrangement. 
D)  it is not a naturally occurring substance. 
A)  it does not form from the cooling of molten rock. 
B)  it is not inorganic. 
C)  it does not possess an orderly internal arrangement. 
D)  it is not a naturally occurring substance.

Question 3

Which of the following is the most appropriate statement regarding the naming of minerals?

Accepted Answer

A)  The names of minerals, like those of plants and animals, have been given in Latin for the purpose of international uniformity. 
B)  The names of minerals are based on the elements that form them. 
C)  The names of minerals are based on a strict systematic international code, and always begin with successive letters of the Latin alphabet in the order in which the mineral is discovered. 
D)  The names of minerals are based on geographic locations, distinctive physical characteristics, and so on, rather than on a conventional system. 
A)  The names of minerals, like those of plants and animals, have been given in Latin for the purpose of international uniformity. 
B)  The names of minerals are based on the elements that form them. 
C)  The names of minerals are based on a strict systematic international code, and always begin with successive letters of the Latin alphabet in the order in which the mineral is discovered. 
D)  The names of minerals are based on geographic locations, distinctive physical characteristics, and so on, rather than on a conventional system.

Question 4

The purpose of rubbing a mineral across an unglazed porcelain slab, the streak plate, is:

Accepted Answer

A)  to remove dirt and corrosion from the mineral so that its true color can be observed. 
B)  to observe the color of a mineral in its powdered form. 
C)  to remove the atoms of trace impurities that may exist within the structure of the mineral. 
D)  to determine if a streak will form on the mineral. 
A)  to remove dirt and corrosion from the mineral so that its true color can be observed. 
B)  to observe the color of a mineral in its powdered form. 
C)  to remove the atoms of trace impurities that may exist within the structure of the mineral. 
D)  to determine if a streak will form on the mineral.

Question 5

Which of the following statements concerning hydrogen bonding is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although weaker than ionic bonding, it can often separate ionically bonded compounds into its component ions. 
B)  It can be used to explain why so many substances dissolve in water. 
C)  For geologists, it is the most important type of intermolecular bonding. 
D)  It occurs because the water molecule is polar; the oxygen side of the water molecule carries a positive charge and the hydrogen side carries a negative charge. 
A)  Although weaker than ionic bonding, it can often separate ionically bonded compounds into its component ions. 
B)  It can be used to explain why so many substances dissolve in water. 
C)  For geologists, it is the most important type of intermolecular bonding. 
D)  It occurs because the water molecule is polar; the oxygen side of the water molecule carries a positive charge and the hydrogen side carries a negative charge.

Question 6

In the mineral olivine, iron and magnesium can substitute freely in the crystal for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  they have the same atomic mass. 
B)  they are both abundant in the Earth's crust. 
C)  they have the same charge. 
D)  they are similar in size. 
A)  they have the same atomic mass. 
B)  they are both abundant in the Earth's crust. 
C)  they have the same charge. 
D)  they are similar in size.

Question 7

In an ionic bond, atoms:

Accepted Answer

A)  lose or gain electrons. 
B)  share electrons. 
C)  become less chemically stable. 
D)  achieve electrical neutrality. 
A)  lose or gain electrons. 
B)  share electrons. 
C)  become less chemically stable. 
D)  achieve electrical neutrality.

Question 8

Which of the following statements concerning mineral crystal formation is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The physical space available in which a crystal grows is a limiting factor in the shape of a crystal. 
B)  Given two elements of equal abundance, the element that contributes more readily to mineral formation is the one that "fits" better on an atomic level. 
C)  Because the identity of the available atoms remains constant, the formation of crystals is independent of the rate of cooling of the molten rock from which it forms. 
D)  Atoms of a similar size can often replace one another within a crystal structure without changing the identity of the crystal. 
A)  The physical space available in which a crystal grows is a limiting factor in the shape of a crystal. 
B)  Given two elements of equal abundance, the element that contributes more readily to mineral formation is the one that "fits" better on an atomic level. 
C)  Because the identity of the available atoms remains constant, the formation of crystals is independent of the rate of cooling of the molten rock from which it forms. 
D)  Atoms of a similar size can often replace one another within a crystal structure without changing the identity of the crystal.

Question 9

Diamond cutters have traditionally made use of which mineral property?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fracture. 
B)  Specific gravity. 
C)  Cleavage. 
D)  Hardness. 
A)  Fracture. 
B)  Specific gravity. 
C)  Cleavage. 
D)  Hardness.

Question 10

In a covalent bond, atoms:

Accepted Answer

A)  share electrons. 
B)  must have opposite electrical charges. 
C)  share protons. 
D)  become less chemically stable. 
A)  share electrons. 
B)  must have opposite electrical charges. 
C)  share protons. 
D)  become less chemically stable.

Question 11

The kinds of mineral formed in a particular time and place depend on all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  the shape of the space in which the mineral forms. 
B)  the temperature and pressure at the time of formation. 
C)  the relative abundances of available elements. 
D)  the relative sizes and fit of the atoms and ions of the available elements. 
A)  the shape of the space in which the mineral forms. 
B)  the temperature and pressure at the time of formation. 
C)  the relative abundances of available elements. 
D)  the relative sizes and fit of the atoms and ions of the available elements.

Question 12

Which one of the following properties will distinguish cubic zirconia from real diamond?

Accepted Answer

A)  Streak. 
B)  Luster. 
C)  Color. 
D)  Specific gravity. 
A)  Streak. 
B)  Luster. 
C)  Color. 
D)  Specific gravity.

Question 13

The best single property by which most minerals can be identified is:

Accepted Answer

A)  color, which depends on how much light a mineral's specific chemical makeup and crystal structure cause it to absorb or reflect. 
B)  hardness, its resistance to scratching or abrasion. 
C)  streak, the color of the powdered mineral without trace impurities. 
D)  none of the above, because minerals can seldom be identified on the basis of only one property. 
A)  color, which depends on how much light a mineral's specific chemical makeup and crystal structure cause it to absorb or reflect. 
B)  hardness, its resistance to scratching or abrasion. 
C)  streak, the color of the powdered mineral without trace impurities. 
D)  none of the above, because minerals can seldom be identified on the basis of only one property.

Question 14

Discuss what gemstones are and how they form.

Accepted Answer

Gemstones are precious or semiprecious m

Question 15

If a mineral exhibits cleavage, it:

Accepted Answer

A)  always occurs in the same shape. 
B)  breaks very easily. 
C)  fractures as a curved, shell- shaped (conchoidal) surface. 
D)  breaks consistently along distinct planes. 
A)  always occurs in the same shape. 
B)  breaks very easily. 
C)  fractures as a curved, shell- shaped (conchoidal) surface. 
D)  breaks consistently along distinct planes.

Question 16

In the laboratory, the specific gravity of a mineral can be determined by the ratio of the substance's:

Accepted Answer

A)  volume to the volume of an equal weight of water. 
B)  weight to its mass. 
C)  weight to the weight of an equal volume of water. 
D)  size to the weight of an equal volume of water. 
A)  volume to the volume of an equal weight of water. 
B)  weight to its mass. 
C)  weight to the weight of an equal volume of water. 
D)  size to the weight of an equal volume of water.

In a crystal structure, which of the following is true?

A mineraloid is the same as a mineral EXCEPT:

Which of the following is the most appropriate statement regarding the naming of minerals?

The purpose of rubbing a mineral across an unglazed porcelain slab, the streak plate, is:

Which of the following statements concerning hydrogen bonding is NOT true?

In the mineral olivine, iron and magnesium can substitute freely in the crystal for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

In an ionic bond, atoms:

Which of the following statements concerning mineral crystal formation is NOT true?

Diamond cutters have traditionally made use of which mineral property?

In a covalent bond, atoms:

The kinds of mineral formed in a particular time and place depend on all of the following EXCEPT:

Which one of the following properties will distinguish cubic zirconia from real diamond?

The best single property by which most minerals can be identified is:

Discuss what gemstones are and how they form.

If a mineral exhibits cleavage, it:

In the laboratory, the specific gravity of a mineral can be determined by the ratio of the substance's:

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

Exam 2: Minerals

In a crystal structure, which of the following is true?

A mineraloid is the same as a mineral EXCEPT:

Which of the following is the most appropriate statement regarding the naming of minerals?

The purpose of rubbing a mineral across an unglazed porcelain slab, the streak plate, is:

Which of the following statements concerning hydrogen bonding is NOT true?

In the mineral olivine, iron and magnesium can substitute freely in the crystal for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

In an ionic bond, atoms:

Which of the following statements concerning mineral crystal formation is NOT true?

Diamond cutters have traditionally made use of which mineral property?

In a covalent bond, atoms:

The kinds of mineral formed in a particular time and place depend on all of the following EXCEPT:

Which one of the following properties will distinguish cubic zirconia from real diamond?

The best single property by which most minerals can be identified is:

Discuss what gemstones are and how they form.

If a mineral exhibits cleavage, it:

In the laboratory, the specific gravity of a mineral can be determined by the ratio of the substance's:

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