13 Questions
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a mineral?
Is formed by biological processes
What type of bonding involves electron transfer?
Ionic bonding
Which of the following is an example of a compound?
Water (H2O)
What does the term 'naturally' mean in the context of minerals?
Not made from artificial substances
What is the smallest amount of an element called?
Atom
Which type of bonding involves the free movement of electrons?
Metallic bonding
Which property of minerals refers to the resistance ability to abrasion (scratching)?
Hardness
What is the name given to the way a mineral breaks along curved surfaces without a definite shape?
Fracture
Specific gravity of minerals is defined as the ratio of the weight of a given mineral to the weight of an equal volume of what substance?
Water
Which type of luster resembles the shine of pure silk?
Silky
What is the color of a mineral in powdered form called?
Streak
Which mineral identification property involves the reflection of light or shine?
Luster
On which scale is the hardness of minerals compared?
Mohs’ hardness scale
Study Notes
Mineral Characteristics
- Organic compounds are NOT a characteristic of a mineral.
- Mineral characteristics do not include living organisms or their remains.
Bonding Types
- Ionic bonding involves electron transfer.
- Metallic bonding involves the free movement of electrons.
Compounds
- Water (H₂O) is an example of a compound.
Mineral Formation
- 'Naturally' in the context of minerals means that they form without human intervention.
Elements
- The smallest amount of an element is called an atom.
Mineral Properties
- Hardness in minerals refers to the resistance ability to abrasion (scratching).
- The way a mineral breaks along curved surfaces without a definite shape is called conchoidal fracture.
- Specific gravity of minerals is defined as the ratio of the weight of a given mineral to the weight of an equal volume of water.
- The shine or luster of a mineral that resembles the shine of pure silk is called silky luster.
- The color of a mineral in powdered form is called streak.
- The mineral identification property that involves the reflection of light or shine is luster.
- The hardness of minerals is compared on the Mohs hardness scale.
Test your knowledge of minerals in engineering geology department chapter two. Learn about the characteristics of minerals, including their natural occurrence, inorganic nature, and chemical composition.
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