Questions and Answers
The principal mineral used in making glass is:
A silicon-oxygen tetrahedron contains:
One silicon atom and four oxygen atoms
The ratio of silicon to oxygen atoms in silicate minerals depends on:
How the atoms in silicon-oxygen tetrahedra are shared
In silicate minerals, the type of cleavage or fracture is influenced by:
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The arrangement of the silicon-oxygen tetrahedra in ferromagnesian silicate minerals is typically:
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The mineral fluorite is an example of:
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What are the most abundant elements in Earth's crust?
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What minerals make up half of Earth's crust?
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What is an accurate description of the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron?
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The micas (biotite and muscovite) exhibit what type of silicate structure?
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__________ SiO4 4- tetrahedra join with __________ ions to produce the mineral olivine in the rock peridotite.
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The external expression of a mineral's orderly internal arrangement of atoms is referred to as:
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The property of cleavage reflects:
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In the field, you find an unidentified mineral that is clear, exhibits conchoidal fracture, and can scratch glass. This mineral is most likely:
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While studying some sedimentary rocks in your field area, you find a mineral with rhombohedral cleavage that reacts with hydrochloric acid. You determine that this mineral is:
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Which of the following best describes mineral habitat?
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What discourages minerals from achieving habit?
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Crystal habit is the shape that a mineral develops by the repetition of ______.
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Other than space, what two additional factors are significant for a crystal to attain habit?
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Study Notes
Minerals and Their Properties
- Quartz is the primary mineral used in glass production.
- The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron consists of one silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms.
- In silicate minerals, the ratio of silicon to oxygen is determined by how silicon-oxygen tetrahedra share atoms.
- Cleavage or fracture types in silicate minerals are influenced by the bonding structure of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra.
Silicate Mineral Structures
- Ferromagnesian silicate minerals typically have silicon-oxygen tetrahedra arranged in chain formations.
- Micas, such as biotite and muscovite, showcase a sheet-like silicate structure.
Composition of Earth's Crust
- The most abundant elements in the Earth's crust are oxygen and silicon.
- Feldspars make up about half of the Earth's crust, highlighting their significance.
Crystal Structure and Properties
- A silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is defined as a four-sided figure with a central silicon atom and four surrounding oxygen atoms.
- The crystal form of a mineral represents its external expression of internal atomic arrangement.
- Cleavage indicates how a mineral breaks along planes of weakness due to mechanical stress.
Mineral Identification
- Clear minerals that exhibit conchoidal fracture and can scratch glass are typically identified as quartz.
- A mineral displaying rhombohedral cleavage that reacts with hydrochloric acid is identified as calcite.
Crystal Growth and Habitat
- Mineral habitat refers to the shape a mineral takes when it has enough space to grow.
- Enclosed spaces can hinder minerals from achieving their ideal habit.
- The shape a mineral assumes (crystal habit) is influenced by the repetition of its basic unit cell.
- In addition to space, time and the availability of necessary elements are crucial for a crystal to develop its habit.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts related to atoms and minerals with these flashcards. Learn about the composition of important minerals like quartz and the structure of silicate minerals. Understanding these fundamentals is essential for any geology enthusiast.
