Questions and Answers
What characterizes minerals?
Which process involves the loss of temperature of a liquid to form a solid mineral?
Which of the following is a method of mineral formation that involves water?
What is not a method of mineral formation?
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What term describes the movement of particles of matter in the solid state?
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Which classification of minerals includes granite?
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Which mineral is formed through biomineralization?
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What is a common mineral formed from gases in volcanic vents?
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What does specific gravity measure in minerals?
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Which mineral property is measured using Mohs Scale?
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Why are there many minerals found in the Philippines?
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Which of the following is NOT a property of minerals that can be easily identified without special equipment?
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What major role do minerals play according to their importance?
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Which material is commonly used for making drill bits and saw edges?
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Which property of minerals refers to the arrangement of atoms?
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Which type of gems includes Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby?
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What does the streak of a mineral refer to?
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Which property describes the tendency of a mineral to break along smooth planes?
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What is the most unreliable property of minerals for identification?
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Which metal is commonly used for wiring due to its electrical conductivity?
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Which tests are primarily used to identify gem minerals?
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What is the primary component of silicates?
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Which mineral is an example of a sulfate?
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What is the characteristic of sulfide minerals?
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What is the general formula for carbonates?
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Which of the following is a use of barite?
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Which mineral is commonly known as an ore mineral?
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What does the term 'lustruss' describe in minerals?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of halides?
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What is the primary purpose of the Goldilocks zone?
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Which of the following best describes a closed system?
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What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?
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What defines a mineral?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of minerals?
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What distinguishes gradualism from catastrophism in geological terms?
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What is the primary role of soil in geological and biological processes?
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Which factor distinguishes renewable energy from non-renewable energy?
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Study Notes
Goldilocks Zone
- The habitable zone around a star where conditions may be just right for liquid water to exist.
Barriers to Solar Radiation
- Atmosphere composed of gases that absorb and scatter sunlight, preventing excessive radiation on Earth's surface.
- Ozone layer within the atmosphere protects living organisms from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Closed System
- A physical system that does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but can exchange energy.
Layers of the Atmosphere
- Troposphere: Closest layer, where weather occurs; temperature decreases with altitude.
- Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude due to ozone absorption of UV rays.
- Mesosphere: Middle layer; temperature decreases with altitude, known for meteoroid burning.
- Thermosphere: Very thin air; temperature rises significantly; auroras occur here.
- Exosphere: Outermost layer; gradually fades into space, primarily containing hydrogen and helium.
Most Abundant Gas in the Atmosphere
- Nitrogen constitutes about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.
Community vs. Ecosystem
- Community: A group of interacting species living in the same area.
- Ecosystem: Includes all living organisms (communities) and their physical environment, functioning as a unit.
Humboldt's Idea
- Introduced the concept of connections between nature, environment, and biology; emphasized the influence of climate and vegetation on living organisms.
Gradualism vs. Catastrophism
- Gradualism: Theory that evolution and geological changes occur slowly over time through small, incremental changes.
- Catastrophism: The idea that Earth's features are shaped by sudden, short-lived, and violent events (like floods, earthquakes).
Uniformitarianism
- Concept that geological processes observed in the present also operated in the past, leading to present-day geological features.
Darwin's Natural Selection and Genetic Mutation
- Natural Selection: Mechanism by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to gradual changes in populations.
- Genetic Mutation: Changes in DNA that can introduce new traits, contributing to genetic diversity and potential advantages for survival.
Earth's Material: Essential Substances
- Water: Vital for life processes such as photosynthesis and transportation.
- Soil: A mixture of organic materials, minerals, rocks, and humus; fundamental for plant growth.
- Energy: Includes both renewable and non-renewable sources, crucial for supporting life and human activities.
- Rocks: Composed of aggregates of minerals; categorized as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
- Minerals: Naturally occurring, homogenous inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and orderly internal structure.
Formation of Minerals
- Solidification of Melts: Formation of a solid from liquid when temperature decreases.
- Precipitation from Solution: Solid crystals form from dissolved substances as the solution evaporates.
- Solid State Diffusion: Movement of particles within a solid, often under heat and pressure, leading to mineral transformations.
- Biomineralization: Living organisms produce minerals, like shells or bones.
- Fumarolic Mineralization: Minerals formed from gases emitted from volcanic vents.
Classification of Minerals
- Silicates: Contain silicon and oxygen; major rock-forming minerals.
- Oxides: Metallic cations bonded with oxygen; commonly known as ore minerals.
- Sulfides: Metals bonded with sulfide; often lusterous and used for batteries and fertilizers.
- Sulfates: Formed through precipitation; includes gypsum and barite.
- Halides: Comprise halogen ions and are typically salts; include halite (rock salt).
- Carbonates: Contain carbonate ions; crucial in construction and agriculture.
- Native Metals: Pure metal elements found as minerals; used in various industries and applications.
Properties of Minerals
- Crystal Form: Arrangement of atoms within the mineral.
- Luster: Quality of light reflected; differs between metals and non-metals.
- Color: Not reliable due to variations across types and conditions.
- Streak: Color of the mineral in powdered form; helps with identification.
- Cleavage: Tendency to break along smooth planes due to weak bonding.
- Fracture: Breaks in an irregular manner, unlike cleavage.
- Specific Gravity: Weight comparison to water; provides density information.
- Hardness: Resistance to scratching; measured by Mohs Scale.
Importance of Minerals
- Essential for numerous industries.
- Contributes significantly to natural resources.
- The Philippines ranks 5th in mineralization globally, with operable metallic mines; presence of volcanoes contributes to mineral wealth.
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Description
This quiz covers essential concepts in Environmental Science, including the Goldilocks zone, atmospheric layers, and major ecological theories. Test your knowledge on radiation barriers, systems, and the ideas of significant figures like Darwin and Humboldt. Engage in a comprehensive review of the principles that govern ecosystems and natural processes.
