Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which elements dominate both the Earth's crust and mantle?
Which elements dominate both the Earth's crust and mantle?
- Hydrogen and carbon
- Calcium and sodium
- Aluminum and iron
- Oxygen and silicon (correct)
What is the primary composition of Earth's core?
What is the primary composition of Earth's core?
- Calcium and magnesium
- Hydrogen and helium
- Silicon and aluminum
- Iron with nickel (correct)
Which two elements contribute to the composition of most minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Which two elements contribute to the composition of most minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
- Aluminum and calcium
- Iron and titanium
- Sodium and magnesium
- Oxygen and silicon (correct)
How does the composition of oceanic crust differ from the continental crust?
How does the composition of oceanic crust differ from the continental crust?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between magnesium and silicon in the Earth's crust and mantle?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between magnesium and silicon in the Earth's crust and mantle?
Which elements are considered minor components in the Earth's crust but important in some minerals?
Which elements are considered minor components in the Earth's crust but important in some minerals?
Which minerals are typically rich in titanium?
Which minerals are typically rich in titanium?
What accounts for variation in the composition of Earth's outer layers?
What accounts for variation in the composition of Earth's outer layers?
What type of diagram is used to represent solid solutions with three end members?
What type of diagram is used to represent solid solutions with three end members?
Which minerals are the end members of the ternary feldspar diagram?
Which minerals are the end members of the ternary feldspar diagram?
Which statement is true about primary and secondary minerals?
Which statement is true about primary and secondary minerals?
What is the significance of essential minerals in rock classification?
What is the significance of essential minerals in rock classification?
Which of the following elements is NOT among the 14 that comprise over 99.7 wt % of Earth's crust?
Which of the following elements is NOT among the 14 that comprise over 99.7 wt % of Earth's crust?
What is the most abundant mineral in Earth's crust?
What is the most abundant mineral in Earth's crust?
What is the approximate percentage of the Earth's crust that consists of silicate minerals?
What is the approximate percentage of the Earth's crust that consists of silicate minerals?
Which of the following descriptions fits accessory minerals?
Which of the following descriptions fits accessory minerals?
Which mineral would most likely be classified as an accessory mineral?
Which mineral would most likely be classified as an accessory mineral?
Which of the following is NOT a common element in Earth’s crust?
Which of the following is NOT a common element in Earth’s crust?
Which element has the highest atomic number listed in the content?
Which element has the highest atomic number listed in the content?
What is the definition of a mole in terms of the number of atoms or molecules?
What is the definition of a mole in terms of the number of atoms or molecules?
What type of element is included in Group 18 of the Periodic Table?
What type of element is included in Group 18 of the Periodic Table?
Which statement about isotopes of oxygen is correct?
Which statement about isotopes of oxygen is correct?
Which group contains alkali metals that can substitute for each other in minerals?
Which group contains alkali metals that can substitute for each other in minerals?
What term is used for the process when two different feldspar components unmixed from each other?
What term is used for the process when two different feldspar components unmixed from each other?
What is the mass number of an element if it has 12 protons and 14 neutrons?
What is the mass number of an element if it has 12 protons and 14 neutrons?
Which of the following elements are classified as transition metals?
Which of the following elements are classified as transition metals?
How are elements generally organized in the Periodic Table?
How are elements generally organized in the Periodic Table?
What is the atomic number of a neutral iron atom?
What is the atomic number of a neutral iron atom?
What element is considered a special element and categorized differently from others?
What element is considered a special element and categorized differently from others?
Which elements are typically classified as the lanthanides?
Which elements are typically classified as the lanthanides?
What occurs to the atomic structure as the atomic number increases?
What occurs to the atomic structure as the atomic number increases?
Which of the following pairs are correctly categorized under alkaline earth metals?
Which of the following pairs are correctly categorized under alkaline earth metals?
What is the atomic weight of quartz, SiO2?
What is the atomic weight of quartz, SiO2?
What determines the abundance of different isotopes in nature?
What determines the abundance of different isotopes in nature?
Which of the following elements is mentioned as a common contributor to radioactivity in minerals?
Which of the following elements is mentioned as a common contributor to radioactivity in minerals?
How do you calculate the density of quartz?
How do you calculate the density of quartz?
What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy a p subshell?
What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy a p subshell?
What is the significance of isotopic variations in minerals for geochemists?
What is the significance of isotopic variations in minerals for geochemists?
How many protons are present in a neutral sodium atom?
How many protons are present in a neutral sodium atom?
What does the symbol 'Z' represent in the unit cell calculation formula?
What does the symbol 'Z' represent in the unit cell calculation formula?
What type of electrons are involved in chemical bonding?
What type of electrons are involved in chemical bonding?
Which of the following subshells has the highest energy?
Which of the following subshells has the highest energy?
What is the charge of a monovalent anion?
What is the charge of a monovalent anion?
What is the approximate atomic weight of oxygen?
What is the approximate atomic weight of oxygen?
How many electrons are in the outer shell of a neutral oxygen atom?
How many electrons are in the outer shell of a neutral oxygen atom?
How many molecules of SiO2 are contained in a mole of quartz?
How many molecules of SiO2 are contained in a mole of quartz?
What type of radiation is emitted by radioactive minerals?
What type of radiation is emitted by radioactive minerals?
Which of the following groups typically forms cations?
Which of the following groups typically forms cations?
What happens when an atom becomes an anion?
What happens when an atom becomes an anion?
Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of atomic masses?
Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of atomic masses?
Which of the following describes the relationship between cations and anions in ionic bonds?
Which of the following describes the relationship between cations and anions in ionic bonds?
What are the orbitals with the highest maximum number of electrons?
What are the orbitals with the highest maximum number of electrons?
What kind of bonding is primarily found in most nonmetallic minerals?
What kind of bonding is primarily found in most nonmetallic minerals?
Which periods of the periodic table mainly contain elements with valence electrons in s and p orbitals?
Which periods of the periodic table mainly contain elements with valence electrons in s and p orbitals?
In terms of energy, how are electrons arranged in an atom?
In terms of energy, how are electrons arranged in an atom?
What is the typical charge of oxygen when it forms an anion?
What is the typical charge of oxygen when it forms an anion?
Which property is typically associated with metallic bonds in minerals?
Which property is typically associated with metallic bonds in minerals?
What is the result when sodium and chlorine react chemically?
What is the result when sodium and chlorine react chemically?
What is a defining characteristic of minerals with covalent bonds?
What is a defining characteristic of minerals with covalent bonds?
Which type of elements are described as metallic and more likely to lose electrons?
Which type of elements are described as metallic and more likely to lose electrons?
Which mineral is an example of a covalent bond?
Which mineral is an example of a covalent bond?
Which mineral contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions?
Which mineral contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions?
What is the typical ionic charge of elements in Group 2?
What is the typical ionic charge of elements in Group 2?
Which of the following represents the process of an atom losing electrons?
Which of the following represents the process of an atom losing electrons?
What type of bond is primarily involved in the formation of minerals like quartz (SiO2)?
What type of bond is primarily involved in the formation of minerals like quartz (SiO2)?
What type of element control mineral composition prominently?
What type of element control mineral composition prominently?
Transition metals typically show which characteristic regarding ionization?
Transition metals typically show which characteristic regarding ionization?
Which of the following minerals is considered to have limited compositional variation?
Which of the following minerals is considered to have limited compositional variation?
Which of the following ions cannot combine with Ca2+ to form a mineral?
Which of the following ions cannot combine with Ca2+ to form a mineral?
In which orbitals are the valence electrons located for elements in the sixth and seventh periods?
In which orbitals are the valence electrons located for elements in the sixth and seventh periods?
How many electrons do two oxygen atoms share to form O2 gas?
How many electrons do two oxygen atoms share to form O2 gas?
What type of analysis do mineralogists prefer when determining mineral composition?
What type of analysis do mineralogists prefer when determining mineral composition?
Which type of mineral typically exhibits high hardness due to covalent bonding?
Which type of mineral typically exhibits high hardness due to covalent bonding?
What happens when iron is oxidized to Fe3+?
What happens when iron is oxidized to Fe3+?
What is a common characteristic of molecular ions in minerals?
What is a common characteristic of molecular ions in minerals?
What is an example of a metallic mineral?
What is an example of a metallic mineral?
Which of the following is a divalent cation commonly found in the Earth's crust?
Which of the following is a divalent cation commonly found in the Earth's crust?
In olivine analyses, which elements are considered major elements?
In olivine analyses, which elements are considered major elements?
What type of bond is present in diatomic gases such as N2?
What type of bond is present in diatomic gases such as N2?
Which type of bond is characterized by the ability to conduct heat well?
Which type of bond is characterized by the ability to conduct heat well?
What anionic group is a key feature in the mineral calcite?
What anionic group is a key feature in the mineral calcite?
Which property is associated with minerals that have ionic bonds regarding their ability to break?
Which property is associated with minerals that have ionic bonds regarding their ability to break?
What process occurs when iron atoms become oxidized?
What process occurs when iron atoms become oxidized?
Which type of bonds typically have low crystal symmetry?
Which type of bonds typically have low crystal symmetry?
What is the effect of trace elements in mineral compositions?
What is the effect of trace elements in mineral compositions?
How do anionic groups, such as (SiO4)4-, behave in minerals?
How do anionic groups, such as (SiO4)4-, behave in minerals?
What type of bond occurs when two atoms share electrons to achieve stability?
What type of bond occurs when two atoms share electrons to achieve stability?
Which mineral is characterized by the formula CaSO4?
Which mineral is characterized by the formula CaSO4?
What type of bond is formed when two chlorine atoms bond covalently?
What type of bond is formed when two chlorine atoms bond covalently?
Which statement accurately describes the difference between ionic and covalent bonds?
Which statement accurately describes the difference between ionic and covalent bonds?
In what way do metallic bonds differ from covalent and ionic bonds?
In what way do metallic bonds differ from covalent and ionic bonds?
What is the primary characteristic of van der Waals bonds?
What is the primary characteristic of van der Waals bonds?
What is a defining feature of minerals with ionic bonding?
What is a defining feature of minerals with ionic bonding?
Which mineral is an example of a substance that exhibits predominantly metallic bonding?
Which mineral is an example of a substance that exhibits predominantly metallic bonding?
How does the character of silicon-oxygen bonds in minerals like quartz differ from pure covalent bonding?
How does the character of silicon-oxygen bonds in minerals like quartz differ from pure covalent bonding?
What is the typical bond character in silicates?
What is the typical bond character in silicates?
Which type of bonding is NOT typically associated with the mineral graphite?
Which type of bonding is NOT typically associated with the mineral graphite?
What type of bonds exist in the mineral brucite?
What type of bonds exist in the mineral brucite?
What aspect of metal minerals like pyrite and stibnite generally combines with covalent bonding?
What aspect of metal minerals like pyrite and stibnite generally combines with covalent bonding?
What happens to the solubility of ionic crystals when placed in water?
What happens to the solubility of ionic crystals when placed in water?
Which bond type is generally stronger than the others?
Which bond type is generally stronger than the others?
How do the properties of minerals correlate with their bond types?
How do the properties of minerals correlate with their bond types?
What is the ideal stoichiometry for olivine?
What is the ideal stoichiometry for olivine?
Which elements are typically found in significant amounts in olivine?
Which elements are typically found in significant amounts in olivine?
What are the primary end members of olivine?
What are the primary end members of olivine?
What is the purpose of normalization in mineral analysis?
What is the purpose of normalization in mineral analysis?
Which minerals are noted for having complex substitution patterns compared to olivine?
Which minerals are noted for having complex substitution patterns compared to olivine?
How are the percent values of forsterite and fayalite calculated in olivines?
How are the percent values of forsterite and fayalite calculated in olivines?
Which olivine sample has nearly 100% forsterite content?
Which olivine sample has nearly 100% forsterite content?
What is a common analytical error affecting olivine stoichiometry?
What is a common analytical error affecting olivine stoichiometry?
What is the role of Excel programs in mineral analysis?
What is the role of Excel programs in mineral analysis?
What describes the substitution capabilities of Ca in olivine?
What describes the substitution capabilities of Ca in olivine?
What is the significance of the formula (Ca,Na,K)(Al,Si)4O8 for feldspar?
What is the significance of the formula (Ca,Na,K)(Al,Si)4O8 for feldspar?
Which method is used to express the normalization of a feldspar formula?
Which method is used to express the normalization of a feldspar formula?
What is the mole fraction of albite in the Grorud feldspar sample?
What is the mole fraction of albite in the Grorud feldspar sample?
What element is not commonly included in the composition of olivine under typical circumstances?
What element is not commonly included in the composition of olivine under typical circumstances?
Flashcards
What are the two most abundant elements in Earth's crust and mantle?
What are the two most abundant elements in Earth's crust and mantle?
Oxygen and silicon are the dominant elements in both the Earth's crust and mantle, making up approximately three-quarters of the crust and two-thirds of the mantle.
What are some other abundant elements in Earth's crust and mantle?
What are some other abundant elements in Earth's crust and mantle?
Besides oxygen and silicon, significant elements include aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. However, the mantle has a higher concentration of magnesium and iron, with less silicon, compared to the crust.
How do the compositions of Earth's outer layers vary?
How do the compositions of Earth's outer layers vary?
The composition of the Earth's outer layers varies both laterally and vertically. For example, oceanic crust has a different composition than continental crust, and the shallow crust differs from the deep crust.
Why are oxygen and silicon found in many minerals?
Why are oxygen and silicon found in many minerals?
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What is unique about the distribution of titanium (Ti)?
What is unique about the distribution of titanium (Ti)?
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What is the composition of Earth's core?
What is the composition of Earth's core?
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What are the main elements found in the Milky Way?
What are the main elements found in the Milky Way?
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What is the difference in the elemental composition between Earth and the Milky Way?
What is the difference in the elemental composition between Earth and the Milky Way?
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What is the Periodic Table?
What is the Periodic Table?
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What is an element's atomic number?
What is an element's atomic number?
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What are groups in the Periodic Table?
What are groups in the Periodic Table?
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What are periods in the Periodic Table?
What are periods in the Periodic Table?
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What are alkali metals?
What are alkali metals?
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What are alkaline earth metals?
What are alkaline earth metals?
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What are transition metals?
What are transition metals?
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What are halogens?
What are halogens?
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What are noble gases?
What are noble gases?
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What is an isotope?
What is an isotope?
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What is a mole?
What is a mole?
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What is atomic mass unit (amu)?
What is atomic mass unit (amu)?
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What is exsolution?
What is exsolution?
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What is perthite?
What is perthite?
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Atomic Mass
Atomic Mass
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Isotopes
Isotopes
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Mole
Mole
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Why is atomic mass not always a whole number?
Why is atomic mass not always a whole number?
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Radioactive Minerals
Radioactive Minerals
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Radioisotope
Radioisotope
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Alpha (α) Particle
Alpha (α) Particle
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Beta (β) Particle
Beta (β) Particle
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Gamma (γ) Radiation
Gamma (γ) Radiation
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Electron Orbitals
Electron Orbitals
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Electron Shells
Electron Shells
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Subshells
Subshells
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Atomic Number
Atomic Number
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Neutral Atom
Neutral Atom
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Electron Configuration
Electron Configuration
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Outermost Occupied Orbital
Outermost Occupied Orbital
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Valence Electrons
Valence Electrons
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Electron Configuration of Sodium
Electron Configuration of Sodium
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Periods in the Periodic Table
Periods in the Periodic Table
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Cations
Cations
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Anions
Anions
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Oxidation
Oxidation
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Reduction
Reduction
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Ionic Bond
Ionic Bond
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Ionic Charge
Ionic Charge
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Monovalent Ions
Monovalent Ions
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Divalent Ions
Divalent Ions
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Metallic Elements
Metallic Elements
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Nonmetallic Elements
Nonmetallic Elements
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Halite (NaCl)
Halite (NaCl)
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Valence
Valence
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What is halite?
What is halite?
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What is oxidation and reduction?
What is oxidation and reduction?
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What are cations and anions?
What are cations and anions?
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What is anionic group?
What is anionic group?
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What is hematite?
What is hematite?
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What is wüstite?
What is wüstite?
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What is magnetite?
What is magnetite?
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What is a covalent bond?
What is a covalent bond?
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What is a double bond?
What is a double bond?
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Describe the covalent bonding in quartz (SiO2).
Describe the covalent bonding in quartz (SiO2).
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Why are anionic groups important in mineral classification?
Why are anionic groups important in mineral classification?
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What are some common cations and anions found in Earth's crust?
What are some common cations and anions found in Earth's crust?
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How do the presence of covalent bonds affect the overall properties of minerals?
How do the presence of covalent bonds affect the overall properties of minerals?
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How do ionic bonds and covalent bonds differ?
How do ionic bonds and covalent bonds differ?
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What are the two main types of chemical bonds?
What are the two main types of chemical bonds?
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Describe ionic bonds.
Describe ionic bonds.
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What are covalent bonds?
What are covalent bonds?
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How do covalent bonds lead to stable atoms?
How do covalent bonds lead to stable atoms?
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Explain the difference between ionic and covalent bonds.
Explain the difference between ionic and covalent bonds.
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What is metallic bonding?
What is metallic bonding?
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What are some properties of metals due to metallic bonding?
What are some properties of metals due to metallic bonding?
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What are van der Waals bonds?
What are van der Waals bonds?
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Explain hydrogen bonds.
Explain hydrogen bonds.
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How do van der Waals and hydrogen bonds relate to mineral properties?
How do van der Waals and hydrogen bonds relate to mineral properties?
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Can bonds be purely ionic or purely covalent?
Can bonds be purely ionic or purely covalent?
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What is the relationship between bonding type and mineral properties?
What is the relationship between bonding type and mineral properties?
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How do covalent bonds affect mineral properties?
How do covalent bonds affect mineral properties?
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Compare ionic bonds and metallic bonds in terms of strength.
Compare ionic bonds and metallic bonds in terms of strength.
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In what kind of mineral are van der Waals and hydrogen bonds often found?
In what kind of mineral are van der Waals and hydrogen bonds often found?
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Ternary Diagram
Ternary Diagram
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Feldspar End Members
Feldspar End Members
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Alkali Feldspar
Alkali Feldspar
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Plagioclase Feldspar
Plagioclase Feldspar
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Essential Minerals
Essential Minerals
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Accessory Minerals
Accessory Minerals
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Primary Minerals
Primary Minerals
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Secondary Minerals
Secondary Minerals
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Silicate Minerals
Silicate Minerals
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Nonsilicate Minerals
Nonsilicate Minerals
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What is a solid solution?
What is a solid solution?
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What are end-members?
What are end-members?
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What are major, minor, and trace elements in minerals?
What are major, minor, and trace elements in minerals?
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What are some common techniques for determining mineral composition?
What are some common techniques for determining mineral composition?
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What are oxide weight percentages?
What are oxide weight percentages?
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What does 'atoms per 4 oxygen' represent?
What does 'atoms per 4 oxygen' represent?
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What are the major elements in olivine?
What are the major elements in olivine?
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What is the difference between a mechanical mixture and solid solution?
What is the difference between a mechanical mixture and solid solution?
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What is the importance of trace elements in minerals?
What is the importance of trace elements in minerals?
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What is the difference between a mineral's major elements and minor elements?
What is the difference between a mineral's major elements and minor elements?
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What are some examples of minerals with limited compositional variation?
What are some examples of minerals with limited compositional variation?
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What is cleavelandite, and how does its composition relate to plagioclase?
What is cleavelandite, and how does its composition relate to plagioclase?
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Why are oxide weight percentages preferred in mineralogy?
Why are oxide weight percentages preferred in mineralogy?
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How can compositional variation impact a mineral's properties?
How can compositional variation impact a mineral's properties?
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What is the significance of normalizing mineral analyses?
What is the significance of normalizing mineral analyses?
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Olivine Formula
Olivine Formula
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End Members of Olivine
End Members of Olivine
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Normalized Olivine Formula
Normalized Olivine Formula
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Why Do Olivine Compositions Vary?
Why Do Olivine Compositions Vary?
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Binary Diagram for Olivine
Binary Diagram for Olivine
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Free Substitution in Olivine
Free Substitution in Olivine
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Limited Substitution in Olivine
Limited Substitution in Olivine
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Normalization of Mineral Analysis
Normalization of Mineral Analysis
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Mole Fractions
Mole Fractions
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End Member Contribution
End Member Contribution
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Feldspar Formula
Feldspar Formula
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Ideal Feldspar Formula
Ideal Feldspar Formula
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Example: Grorud Feldspar
Example: Grorud Feldspar
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Comparing Olivine and Feldspar
Comparing Olivine and Feldspar
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Substitution vs. Composition
Substitution vs. Composition
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Study Notes
Elements and Minerals
- Matter composed of atoms of individual elements
- Milky Way and Sun primarily hydrogen and helium
- Earth's dominant elements (8-10 accounting for most mass) different from celestial bodies
- Crust and mantle share major elements, but proportions differ
- Core primarily iron, with nickel and other elements
- Most geological materials originate from crust or upper mantle
Elements in Crust and Mantle
- Oxygen and silicon dominant elements, comprising ~3/4 of crust & ~2/3 of mantle
- Other abundant elements: aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium
- Mantle contains more magnesium and iron, less silicon compared to the crust
- Hydrogen and carbon minor elements in crust but vital in certain minerals
- Rare elements sometimes concentrated to form exotic minerals
- Lateral and vertical compositional variations exist (e.g., oceanic vs. continental crust)
Elements and the Periodic Table
- Periodic Table orders elements by atomic number (number of protons) correlating to atomic weight and size.
- Hydrogen (atomic number 1), Oganesson (atomic number 118)
- Elements in numbered periods (rows) and groups (columns) based on electron orbital configuration
- About 90 elements occur naturally, the rest artificial (synthesized)
- Basic structure similar to Mendeleyev's initial version of 1870, later rearranged to better reflect electron orbital occupancy
- Chemists classify elements based on similar properties (different colors on the table) into categories like alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, halogens, noble gases, nonmetals (or other metals depending on version), lanthanides, actinides
- Scandium and Yttrium sometimes classified with lanthanides
- Similar properties among elements in the same groups
Perthite (Exsolved Alkali Feldspar)
- Alkali feldspars (Na-feldspar and K-feldspar) commonly substitute each other in minerals
- Exsolution—separation of different components upon cooling, resulting in perthite (thin veins of K-feldspar in Na-feldspar)
Atomic Number and Mass
- Atomic number (Z) represents the number of protons in an element's nucleus
- Also indicates the number of electrons in a neutral atom
- Larger Z means larger atomic size, due to increased electron cloud size
- Mass number (A) is the total protons and neutrons
- Elements have several different isotopes, some more abundant than others
Isotopes of Oxygen
- Oxygen consists of three isotopes: 16O, 17O, and 18O
- 16O is the most common (99.8%)
Moles
- Mole defined as 6.022 x 1023 atoms/molecules (Avogadro's Number)
- Standardized atomic mass based on 12C (one mole = 12 grams)
- Atomic masses (weights) are dimensionless numbers (relating to one mole of carbon)
- Atomic weight sum of naturally occurring isotopes, weighted by abundance
Radioactive Minerals
- Some isotopes are unstable and undergo radioactive decay (emitting alpha, beta, or gamma radiation)
- Minerals are radioactive if they contain radioisotopes
- Examples: Torbernite, autunite, and uraninite
Electron Orbitals
- Electrons occupy orbitals of increasing energy around the nucleus
- S, P, D, and F subshells have specific maximum electron capacities
- Orbital shape (e.g., spherical, dumbbell-shaped) relevant for mineral properties (e.g. color)
Ions
- Atoms become unstable if valence electron shells incompletely filled
- Commonly form ions (cations or anions) for stability
- Cations (+ charge) lose electrons; Anions (- charge) gain electrons
- Monovalent (charge ±1), divalent (±2), trivalent (±3), tetravalent (±4)
Bonding in Minerals
- Ionic Bonds: Attraction between oppositely charged ions (cations and anions)
- Example: Halite (NaCl) formation
- Oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons) involved
- Iron oxides (hematite, wüstite, magnetite) variations involve different oxidation states of iron
- Bonds in different minerals vary from purely ionic to partially covalent
- Covalent Bonds: Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
- Example: Hydrogen gas, Oxygen gas, Quartz
- Bonds are not totally ionic or covalent, are a spectrum
- Metallic Bonds: Many atoms share valence electrons (delocalized electrons)
- Example: Gold, silver, copper
- Good conductors of heat and electricity
- Malleable (ability to be hammered into sheets)
- Other Bonds: Van der Waals and hydrogen bonds (weak electrostatic forces)
Solid Solutions
- Some minerals are solid solutions; combinations of different elements or minerals intimately bonded
- Examples: Plagioclase (CaAl2Si2O8 and NaAlSi3O8), Olivine ((Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca)2SiO4); end-member compositions describe ideal components
Classification of Minerals
- Primary (formed during rock formation) vs Secondary (formed later via reactions)
- Essential (implied by rock type) vs Accessory (minor presence, not affecting composition)
- Examples of essential and accessory minerals (e.g. quartz, zircon, apatite).
- Compositional variation (major, minor, and trace elements) in minerals
- Abundant elements determining the abundance of various minerals
Chemical Analysis
- Methods for determining mineral composition
- Example of feldspar analysis using normalization (converting weight percentages to mole percentages to calculate mineral formula)
- Useful for understanding the relationship between minerals and rock type
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Description
Test your knowledge on the elements that dominate the Earth's crust and mantle, as well as the core's primary composition. This quiz covers mineral compositions found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and examines the differences between oceanic and continental crusts. Discover the relationships between key elements like magnesium and silicon.
