Questions and Answers
What type of deposits are formed by hot, metal-rich fluids left by magma?
Which of the following are considered metallic mineral resources? (Select all that apply)
Coal is a non-metallic mineral.
False
What is petroleum commonly refined into?
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Natural gas is primarily composed of ______.
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What is a primary use of natural gas?
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Match the following non-metallic mineral resources with their uses:
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What is a mineral?
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Which of the following groups of minerals contains silicon-oxide (SiO4)?
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What process involves the cooling of molten rock to form igneous rocks?
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Sedimentary rocks are formed from the compaction and cementation of _____ (clasts, minerals, or fossils).
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What is the Mohs scale used for?
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Igneous rocks can only form from lava on the Earth's surface.
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Metamorphic rocks are formed through heat and pressure.
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Match the following mineral groups with their compositions:
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How are sedimentary rocks primarily formed?
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What characterizes foliated metamorphic rocks?
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Which of the following is NOT a process of mineral formation?
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Study Notes
Minerals
- Natural, inorganic solids with a definitive chemical composition and ordered internal structure.
- Composed of single elements (e.g., gold) or multiple elements bound by electrical forces.
- Common ions in minerals include silicon (Si) and oxygen (O).
How Minerals are Formed
- Crystallization from Magma: Cooling molten rock forms minerals.
- Precipitation: Dissolved substances in water react to create minerals.
- Temperature and Pressure Changes: Lead to the formation of new minerals.
- Hydrothermal Solutions: Hot solutions chemically react with existing minerals to form new ones.
Mineral Groups
- Silicates: Most common rock-forming minerals containing silicon-oxide (SiO4).
- Oxides: Metals bonded to oxygen.
- Sulfides: Metals bonded to sulfide.
- Sulfates: Metals bonded to sulfate anions (SO4).
- Halides: Containing halogen ions (F or Cl).
- Carbonates: Contain carbonic ions (CO3).
- Native Metals: Composed of a single metal element.
Common Minerals
- Silicates form the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron and are abundant in Earth's crust.
- Carbonates combine carbon and oxygen with metallic elements.
- Oxides consist of oxygen with one or more metal elements.
- Sulfates and sulfides contain sulfur; halides include halogen ions.
Properties of Minerals
- Luster: Reflectivity of light from the surface.
- Streak: Color in powdered form.
- Hardness: Measured using the Mohs scale (1-10), indicating resistance to scratching.
- Cleavage: Tendency to break along flat surfaces; fracture refers to uneven breakage.
- Crystal Form: Reflects internal arrangement of atoms.
Rocks and Their Formation
- Rocks are aggregates of minerals or solid materials.
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooling of magma or lava; texture depends on cooling rate (coarse for slow, fine for rapid).
- Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from compaction and cementation of sediments; include clastic, chemical, and organic types.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Formed through heat and pressure altering existing rocks; classified as foliated (layered) or non-foliated.
The Rock Cycle
- Rock cycle involves transformation between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks through processes like cooling, compaction, and exposure to heat/pressure.
- External processes like weathering and erosion are driven by solar energy and gravity to produce sediment.
Earth's Mineral Resources
- Renewable vs. Nonrenewable: Renewable resources replenish quickly; nonrenewable take millions of years. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of nonrenewable resources.
- Ore: A profitable metallic mineral; extraction occurs through mining.
- Metallic Minerals: Includes gold, copper, and platinum, often produced through igneous processes.
- Non-metallic Resources: Include limestone, gypsum, and salt, used for construction and manufacturing.
- Fossil Fuels: Coal is carbon-rich; petroleum forms from ancient organic matter; natural gas is primarily methane, produced under intense heat and pressure.
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Description
Test your knowledge on rocks and minerals in Earth Science. This quiz will cover the definitions, characteristics, and classifications of minerals. Ideal for students studying geology or related subjects.
