Minerals and Atomic Structure Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'cleavage' refer to in mineralogy?

The tendency to break along planes of weak bonding (correct)

The resistance of a mineral to abrasion

The ratio of the weight of a mineral to water

The color of a mineral in its powdered form

Which mineral property is tested using a streak plate?

Specific gravity

Streak (correct)

Fracture

Hardness

On the Mohs scale of hardness, which property does hardness measure?

Weight relative to water

Absence of cleavage

Color in powdered state

Resistance to abrasion or scratching (correct)

What is the average specific gravity of most minerals?

2.5 to 3 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a 'special' property of minerals?

Reaction to hydrochloric acid Signup and view all the answers

What does a conchoidal fracture in a mineral indicate?

It breaks to form smooth curved surfaces Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT one of the eight most abundant elements in Earth's continental crust?

Copper Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that defines a mineral?

Exists as a solid mass Signup and view all the answers

Which property of minerals is assessed by comparing their physical weight to an equal volume of water?

Specific gravity Signup and view all the answers

What does the atomic number of an element represent?

Number of protons in the nucleus Signup and view all the answers

How is the resistance of a mineral to scratching measured?

Using the Mohs scale of hardness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the definition of 'fracture' in minerals?

Breaking without forming smooth or flat surfaces Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bond involves one atom giving up electrons while another atom receives them?

Ionic bond Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a mineral and a rock?

Rocks are aggregates of minerals or mineral-like matter Signup and view all the answers

In atomic structure, which subatomic particle is located in the nucleus with a positive charge?

Proton Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'valence electrons'?

Outer-most electrons that are involved in bonding Signup and view all the answers

How many naturally occurring elements are known?

90 Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is correct regarding the nature of minerals?

Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an atom?

The smallest particle of a chemical element Signup and view all the answers

What determines the atomic weight of an atom?

The total number of protons and neutrons Signup and view all the answers

What happens to oppositely-charged atoms when they bond together?

They attract, bond, and become electrically neutral. Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique characteristic of a mineral's crystal habit?

It represents the external form of the internal atomic arrangement. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a polymorph?

A material whose physical properties vary despite a constant chemical composition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor affecting the crystal growth of minerals?

Competitive space availability and temperature changes. Signup and view all the answers

How is lustre categorized in minerals?

By appearance in reflected light: metallic or non-metallic. Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is known for exhibiting a diverse range of colors due to impurities?

Quartz. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect typically does not contribute to the identification of minerals?

The color of the mineral alone. Signup and view all the answers

What results in the formation of different physical properties in polymorphs despite having the same chemical composition?

Different environmental conditions during formation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between metallic and non-metallic lustre?

Metallic lustre reflects more light than non-metallic lustre. Signup and view all the answers

The term 'crystal habit' primarily refers to which aspect of a mineral?

The external shape and form exhibited by the mineral. Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic building block of the silicate minerals?

Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is NOT a configuration formed by linking silicate tetrahedra?

Cube structures Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is classified as a ferromagnesian silicate?

Biotite Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of nonferromagnesian silicates?

Contains iron or magnesium Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mineral does NOT belong to the non-silicate mineral classification?

Tetrahedra Signup and view all the answers

Muscovite is categorized under which mineral group?

Nonferromagnesian silicates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups does NOT represent a major type of non-silicate mineral?

Garnets Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common ferromagnesian mineral listed?

Olivine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a light silicate mineral?

Clay Signup and view all the answers

Which silicate structure includes combinations of different arrangements of tetrahedra?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks

Rocks are aggregates of several kinds of minerals
Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with an ordered internal molecular structure and a definite chemical composition. Ice is a mineral, but glass is not.
Rocks are solid masses of minerals or mineral-like matter that occur naturally.

The Composition of Minerals

Elements are the basic building blocks of minerals. There are 118 known elements, with 90 occurring naturally.
Atoms are the smallest particles of matter, retaining all the characteristics of an element. Atoms contain a nucleus (protons and neutrons) and electrons.

Atomic Structure

The nucleus is the central region of an atom, comprised of protons (positive charges) and neutrons (no electrical charge).
Electrons are negatively charged particles surrounding the nucleus, occupying discrete energy levels called shells.
Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom
Atomic weight is approximately the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus
Valence electrons are the atom's outer-most electrons in the outermost shell

Bonding

Chemical bonds are strong attractive forces forming compounds.
Ionic bonds occur when one atom gives up an electron(s) and another receives them. These oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond and becoming electrically neutral.
Covalent bonds involve atoms sharing electrons.

The Structure of Minerals

Minerals consist of an ordered array of atoms chemically bonded to form a particular crystalline structure.
Polymorphs are elements that can join in various geometric arrangements while maintaining the same chemical composition. Physical properties of polymorphs can differ. Diamond and graphite are examples of polymorphs.

Physical Properties of Minerals

Crystal habit (shape): The external expression of the internal atomic arrangement. Crystal growth can be interrupted by competition for space and rapid heat loss.
Lustre: The appearance of a mineral in reflected light. Two basic types include metallic and non-metallic.
Colour: Color can be an aid in mineral identification, but should not be used in isolation.
Streak: The colour of a mineral in its powdered form, observed when rubbed on an unglazed porcelain tile (streak plate).
Hardness: The resistance to abrasion or scratching. Compared using the Mohs scale of hardness.
Cleavage: A mineral's tendency to break along planes of weak bonding, producing flat, shiny surfaces. Minerals are described with a count of cleavage planes, and the angles between planes.
Fracture: Minerals without cleavage break along irregular surfaces, but sometimes break to form curved surfaces
Specific gravity: The ratio of the weight of a mineral to the weight of an equal volume of water.
Other properties: Including magnetism, reaction to hydrochloric acid, malleability, double refraction, taste, smell and elasticity.

Mineral Classes

Approximately 4660 minerals have been identified. Rock-forming minerals make up most of Earth's crust.
Composed mainly of the eight most abundant elements (oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium).
Silicates: The most common mineral group, with silicon-oxygen structural units. Tetrahedra units link together forming various structures
Non-silicate Minerals: Including oxides, hydroxides, sulfides, sulfates, native elements, halides, carbonates, and phosphates.

Gemstones

Gemstones are classified by their composition, not just their colour. Different cuts and colours are possible from the same gemstone mineral

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of minerals and their composition, including the role of elements and atomic structure. Test your knowledge on the building blocks of rocks and the intricacies of atomic particles. Perfect for geology students and enthusiasts alike!