Tenacity in Minerals Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the hardest mineral on the Mohs Scale?

Talc

Corundum

Gypsum

Diamond (correct)

Which mineral exhibits conchoidal fracture?

Pyrite

Quartz (correct)

Magnetite

Limonite

What is the relative hardness of corundum compared to diamond?

Four times as hard (correct)

Twice as hard

Five times as hard

Three times as hard

Which mineral is used to make durable washers due to its cleavage property?

Mica Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative hardness of a fingernail on the Mohs Scale?

2.5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative hardness of gypsum compared to talc on the Mohs Scale?

Gypsum is only slightly harder than talc Signup and view all the answers

What is the hardness of a fingernail on the Mohs Scale?

2.5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of carbide-tipped blades used to cut through construction materials?

Synthetic material similar to diamond Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinguishing characteristic of fracture in minerals?

Formation of irregular pieces with rough surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining property of cleavage in minerals?

Tendency to break along flat planes of weak bonding Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative hardness of corundum compared to diamond on the Mohs Scale?

Corundum is one number lower than diamond but is four times as hard Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinguishing characteristic of fracture in minerals?

Fracture is the shape and texture of the surface formed when a mineral is broken or fractured Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral exhibits conchoidal fracture?

Quartz Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative hardness of gypsum compared to talc on the Mohs Scale?

Gypsum is not twice as hard as talc despite being one number higher on the scale Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining property of cleavage in minerals?

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to cleave or break along flat planes of weak bonding Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is ranked higher on the Mohs Scale than calcite but lower than topaz?

Fluorite Signup and view all the answers

What is the fracture type exhibited by most minerals such as pyrite and magnetite?

Irregular fracture Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative hardness of diamond compared to corundum on the Mohs Scale?

It is four times as hard Signup and view all the answers

What is the fracture type exhibited by quartz?

Conchoidal fracture Signup and view all the answers

What property of minerals is cleavage related to?

Molecular composition Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mineral Tenacity

Tenacity describes a mineral's toughness or its ability to withstand breaking or deformation.
Minerals like halite, calcite, and fluorite are classified as brittle due to weak ionic bonds, causing them to shatter upon impact.
Metallic minerals such as copper and gold demonstrate malleability, allowing them to be easily shaped or hammered into various forms.
Talc and gypsum are considered sectile and can be sliced into thin sheets or sections.
Mica is an elastic mineral, regaining its original shape after stress is removed; it is both elastic and heat-resistant, making it ideal for manufacturing washers.
Distinction: Mica is different from Formica, which is a synthetic laminate used in countertops; however, Formica serves as a substitute for mica in various industrial applications.

Mineral Hardness

Diamonds are recognized as the hardest natural mineral, with exceptional resistance to scratching.
Hardness is defined as a mineral's resistance to being scratched, a critical diagnostic property used in mineral identification.
Relative hardness can be assessed by rubbing two substances against each other; the harder material will not scratch the softer one.

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Description

Test your knowledge of mineral tenacity with this quiz! Discover the different types of tenacity, from brittle minerals like halite and calcite to malleable metallic minerals like copper and gold. Challenge yourself to identify the toughness and resistance to breaking of various minerals.