Exam 1: Matter and Minerals

Atoms that have an electrical charge due to a gain or loss of electrons are called ________.

The ion at the center of a silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is surrounded by ________.

Which of the following minerals is a silicate (a mineral containing a silicon-bearing ion)?

In a cooling magma composed of silicon, oxygen, aluminum, potassium, hydrogen, calcium, and sodium atoms, which of the following silicate minerals would be impossible to crystallize?

Quartz has a specific gravity of about 2.65. A 5-gallon bucket of water weighs 40 pounds. How much would a 5-gallon volume of solid quartz weigh?

An atom's mass number is 13 and its atomic number is 6. How many neutrons are in its nucleus?

The color of a powdered mineral is the physical property known as luster.

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

Describe in detail the relationship between elements, minerals, and rocks. Give a specific example of a specific element that is included in a specific mineral that is included in a specific rock.

What steps would you take in order to identify a mineral by its physical properties?

Electrons are found in the nucleus of an atom.

The resistance of a mineral to scratching or abrasion is known as ________.

Atoms of different elements can "stick together" (making compounds)via electrons sharing or trading arrangements called ________.

Describe the characteristics a substance must possess in order to qualify as a mineral, and then describe which of the following cannot be minerals, listing a specific reason for each. a. Gold nugget b. Seawater c. Quartz d. Cubic zirconia e. Obsidian f. Ruby g. Glacial ice h. Amber

What is the octet rule? Describe how it explains the behavior of atoms in forming ionic and covalent bonds.

Synthetically made glass and natural quartz crystals both exhibit a fracture pattern termed ________.

A mineral can be composed entirely of one element.

Which common mineral is composed entirely of silicon and oxygen?

The appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral is known as ________.

The most common group of minerals in Earth's crust are the ________.