Podcast
Questions and Answers
The physical property of a mineral that describes how light shines off of it is called ______.
The physical property of a mineral that describes how light shines off of it is called ______.
Luster
Minerals can exhibit ______ which is the ability to generate electricity from pressure.
Minerals can exhibit ______ which is the ability to generate electricity from pressure.
Piezoelectric
In order to identify a mineral, you can perform an ______ test to see if it contains carbonate.
In order to identify a mineral, you can perform an ______ test to see if it contains carbonate.
Acid
The process of a mineral breaking irregularly with jagged edges is known as ______.
The process of a mineral breaking irregularly with jagged edges is known as ______.
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The color of the powder produced when a mineral is scratched on a porcelain plate is known as ______.
The color of the powder produced when a mineral is scratched on a porcelain plate is known as ______.
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Caves can form in rocks that contain ______.
Caves can form in rocks that contain ______.
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Minerals can exhibit ______ which is the ability to glow under ultraviolet light.
Minerals can exhibit ______ which is the ability to glow under ultraviolet light.
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Minerals and mineral resources are used every day in ______ we ride or drive on and the buildings we live, learn and work in.
Minerals and mineral resources are used every day in ______ we ride or drive on and the buildings we live, learn and work in.
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Minerals are made up of different _______________________ bonded together.
Minerals are made up of different _______________________ bonded together.
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A mineral is characterized by its _______________________ chemical composition.
A mineral is characterized by its _______________________ chemical composition.
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The crystalline structure of minerals greatly depends on the sizes of and charges on the _______________________.
The crystalline structure of minerals greatly depends on the sizes of and charges on the _______________________.
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The basic chemical structure of 90% of all minerals is the _______________________ tetrahedron.
The basic chemical structure of 90% of all minerals is the _______________________ tetrahedron.
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Oxygen and silicon make up about _______________________ of the total mass of elements in the Earth's crust.
Oxygen and silicon make up about _______________________ of the total mass of elements in the Earth's crust.
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A mineral is _______________________ in nature, meaning it is not alive and was never alive.
A mineral is _______________________ in nature, meaning it is not alive and was never alive.
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A mineral has a _______________________ solid structure, meaning its atoms are arranged in an orderly pattern.
A mineral has a _______________________ solid structure, meaning its atoms are arranged in an orderly pattern.
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A mineral must occur _______________________, meaning it is not man-made.
A mineral must occur _______________________, meaning it is not man-made.
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Beryllium salts are used in ______ tubes and as a deoxidizer in bronze metallurgy.
Beryllium salts are used in ______ tubes and as a deoxidizer in bronze metallurgy.
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The gemstones of ______, a beryllium mineral, are emerald and aquamarine.
The gemstones of ______, a beryllium mineral, are emerald and aquamarine.
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[Blank] is used in a number of very different applications.
[Blank] is used in a number of very different applications.
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[Blank] metal is relatively inert and non-toxic.
[Blank] metal is relatively inert and non-toxic.
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The primary use of ______ is not in its silvery-white metal form, but as calcium carbonate.
The primary use of ______ is not in its silvery-white metal form, but as calcium carbonate.
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Chromium is used in the production of ______ and heat-resistant steel.
Chromium is used in the production of ______ and heat-resistant steel.
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Half of the consumption of ______ is used in corrosion- and abrasion-resistant alloys.
Half of the consumption of ______ is used in corrosion- and abrasion-resistant alloys.
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[Blank] salts are used to produce a blue color in paint pigments, porcelain, glass, and pottery.
[Blank] salts are used to produce a blue color in paint pigments, porcelain, glass, and pottery.
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The main source of ______ is bauxite ore.
The main source of ______ is bauxite ore.
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______ is a silvery-gray, brittle semi-metal.
______ is a silvery-gray, brittle semi-metal.
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______ is a class of minerals that can be readily separated into thin, strong fibers.
______ is a class of minerals that can be readily separated into thin, strong fibers.
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Crushed ______ is used for railroad ballast, aggregate in highway construction.
Crushed ______ is used for railroad ballast, aggregate in highway construction.
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______ is an element, derived primarily from the mineral barite.
______ is an element, derived primarily from the mineral barite.
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______ is used in light, very strong alloys for the aircraft industry.
______ is used in light, very strong alloys for the aircraft industry.
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______ is used principally for flame retardants as well as in ammunition and automotive batteries.
______ is used principally for flame retardants as well as in ammunition and automotive batteries.
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______ is used to make friction products, asbestos cement pipes and sheets, coatings and compounds.
______ is used to make friction products, asbestos cement pipes and sheets, coatings and compounds.
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Pyrite, also known as ______ gold, is used in the manufacture of sulfur, sulfuric acid, and sulfur dioxide.
Pyrite, also known as ______ gold, is used in the manufacture of sulfur, sulfuric acid, and sulfur dioxide.
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Quartz crystals are popular as a ______ gemstone;
Quartz crystals are popular as a ______ gemstone;
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Silica is used in the manufacture of ______ chips, glass and refractory materials, ceramics, abrasives, and water filtration;
Silica is used in the manufacture of ______ chips, glass and refractory materials, ceramics, abrasives, and water filtration;
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Silver is used in photography, chemistry, electrical and electronic products because of its very high ______;
Silver is used in photography, chemistry, electrical and electronic products because of its very high ______;
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Sulfur is used as an industrial raw material through its major derivative, ______ acid.
Sulfur is used as an industrial raw material through its major derivative, ______ acid.
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The primary use for talc is in the production of ______.
The primary use for talc is in the production of ______.
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Ground talc is used as a ______ in ceramics, paint, paper, roofing, plastics, cosmetics, and in agriculture.
Ground talc is used as a ______ in ceramics, paint, paper, roofing, plastics, cosmetics, and in agriculture.
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Very pure talc is used in fine arts and is called ______.
Very pure talc is used in fine arts and is called ______.
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Study Notes
What is a Mineral?
- A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic substance with a crystalline structure and a definite chemical composition.
- Minerals are composed of different ions bonded together, with the crystalline structure depending on the size and charge of the ions.
- Minerals can be made up of single or multiple elements, with oxygen and silicon making up about 75% of the total mass of elements in the Earth's crust.
Characteristics of Minerals
- Minerals have a crystalline structure, which affects their physical properties.
- Minerals may be composed of single or multiple elements.
- The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron (SiO4) is the basic chemical structure of 90% of all minerals.
Physical Properties of Minerals
- Color: the apparent color of a mineral.
- Streak: the color of the powder produced when a mineral is scratched on a porcelain plate.
- Hardness: a mineral's resistance to scratching.
- Cleavage: the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.
- Fracture: the way a mineral breaks when it does not cleave.
- Luster: the way light reflects off a mineral's surface.
Special Properties of Minerals
- Magnetism: the ability of a mineral to be attracted to a magnet.
- Double refraction: the ability of a mineral to bend light in two different ways.
- Fluorescence: the emission of light by a mineral when exposed to ultraviolet light.
- Phosphorescence: the continued emission of light by a mineral after the ultraviolet light source is removed.
- Piezoelectricity: the generation of electricity by a mineral when subjected to pressure.
Identification Tests for Minerals
- Hardness test: scratching the mineral with different objects to determine its hardness.
- Streak test: scratching the mineral on a porcelain plate to determine its streak.
- Acid test: applying hydrochloric acid to the mineral to determine its chemical composition.
Uses of Minerals
- Aluminum: used in automobiles, airplanes, bottling, and electrical applications.
- Antimony: used in flame retardants, ammunition, automotive batteries, and glassmaking.
- Asbestos: used in fireproof fabrics, yarn, cloth, and paper, as well as in friction products and asbestos cement.
- Basalt: used in railroad ballast, highway construction, and asphalt.
- Barium: used in oil-well drilling, paints, rubber, plastic, and paper, as well as in glass manufacturing.
- Beryllium: used in aircraft, nuclear defense, and in the production of x-ray tubes and beryllium salts.
- Bismuth: used in pharmaceuticals, ceramics, paints, and catalysts.
- Calcium: used in adhesives, cosmetics, foods, paint, paper, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and rubber.
- Chromium: used in stainless and heat-resistant steel, as well as in corrosion-resistant alloys.
- Cobalt: used in corrosion-resistant alloys, magnets, and cutting tools.
- Quartz: used in electronics, precision instruments, and as a gemstone.
- Silica/Silicon: used in computer chips, glass, ceramics, abrasives, and water filtration.
- Silver: used in photography, chemistry, electrical and electronic products, jewelry, coins, and brazing alloys.
- Sulfur: used in fertilizer production, oil refining, and as a raw material in manufacturing processes.
- Talc: used in paper production, ceramics, paint, roofing, plastics, cosmetics, and agriculture.
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Description
This quiz covers the definition and characteristics of minerals, including their physical and chemical properties, and how they form rocks. Learn about the natural, inorganic, and crystalline structure of minerals.
