Understanding Resources and Energy

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of non-renewable resources?

They include solar and wind energy.

They cannot be replenished on a human time scale. (correct)

They can be regenerated less than a year.

They can be replenished quickly.

Which type of coal has the highest carbon content?

Peat

Anthracite (correct)

Bituminous

Lignite

From which period are the most extensive coal deposits dated?

Triassic period

Carboniferous period (correct)

Jurassic period

Cretaceous period

What is the process by which nuclear energy is created?

Fission and fusion Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'biomass' refer to in renewable resources?

Organic materials used as fuel Signup and view all the answers

What two elements are primarily associated with the Latin origins of petroleum?

Petra and oleum Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a renewable resource?

Natural gas Signup and view all the answers

What is lignite primarily composed of?

60-70% carbon Signup and view all the answers

What are the main categories used to classify minerals based on composition?

The main categories are silicates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, carbonates, and native metals. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structural unit found in silicate minerals.

Silicate minerals are primarily composed of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons, represented by the formula (SiO4)−2. Signup and view all the answers

How does the crystalline structure of a mineral affect its properties?

The crystalline structure dictates the mineral's physical properties such as hardness, cleavage, and overall appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the streak test in identifying minerals?

The streak test reveals the color of a mineral in its powdered form, which can be more consistent than the color of the mineral itself. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two physical properties of minerals that can aid in their classification.

Two physical properties are hardness and luster. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor determining the hardness of a mineral?

The primary factor determining hardness is the strength of the bonds between atoms in the mineral's structure. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how metamorphism can change the mineral composition of rocks.

Metamorphism alters the mineral composition and texture of rocks due to changes in temperature and pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What role do native metals play in mineral classification?

Native metals are classified as minerals consisting of a single metal element, such as copper or gold. Signup and view all the answers

What is the method used to identify minerals that involves rubbing them on a ceramic tile?

The method is known as the streak test. Signup and view all the answers

How is hardness measured in minerals?

Hardness is measured by the strength of the chemical bonds in a mineral's structure. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cleavage from fracture in minerals?

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes of weakness, while fracture occurs when a mineral breaks in an irregular manner. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'habit' refer to in relation to mineralogy?

Habit refers to the outward appearance or crystal form of a mineral. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of specific gravity in assessing minerals?

Specific gravity measures the density of a mineral, indicating how heavy it is relative to its size. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of transparency in mineral identification.

Transparency indicates the extent to which light can pass through a mineral, helping to classify it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the property of tenacity in minerals?

Tenacity refers to a mineral's ability to hold its particles together and resist deformation under stress. Signup and view all the answers

How does luster affect the classification of minerals?

Luster describes how light reflects off a mineral's surface, ranging from metallic to non-metallic. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'metamorphic' suggest about the rocks in this classification?

It suggests that metamorphic rocks are formed from pre-existing rocks that have undergone changes due to high pressure, high temperature, or both. Signup and view all the answers

How do geologists typically locate mineral deposits?

Geologists map Earth's surface and look for clues in exposed rocks that may show discoloration or other distinct mineral properties. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes sedimentary rocks in terms of their formation?

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the lithification of particles produced by the weathering of other pre-existing rocks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main requirement for a mineral deposit to be classified as an ore deposit?

A mineral deposit must be profitable to mine to be classified as an ore deposit. Signup and view all the answers

Name two examples of sedimentary rocks commonly used in construction.

Sandstones and limestones are two examples of sedimentary rocks used in construction materials. Signup and view all the answers

What role do geologists play in finding valuable mineral resources?

Geologists study geological formations and test the physical and chemical properties of rocks and soil to locate possible ores. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between surface mining and underground mining.

Surface mining involves removing layers of vegetation and soil to extract minerals close to the surface, while underground mining extracts minerals that are found deeper within the Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the term 'ore' in geology?

'Ore' refers to a rock that contains minerals with useful elements that can be extracted for economic benefit. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer

Invocation for mercy and trust in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Expression of desire for hearts to be made similar to that of Jesus.
Concludes with "AMEN."

Energy and Resources

Energy: Defined as the capacity to do work.
Resource: General term for items used for specific purposes.

Non-Renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources cannot be replenished on a human time scale.
Primary sources include nuclear energy and fossil fuels.

Nuclear Energy

Generated through nuclear fission and fusion, producing heat energy.

Fossil Fuels

Include coal, oil, and natural gas, extracted through drilling and mining.
Processed to generate electricity or refined for fuel use.

Coal

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.
Formed from plant remains compressed over millions of years.
Major deposits date back to the Carboniferous period (290 to 360 million years ago).
Types of Coal:
- Lignite: Soft, dark-brown, low-rank coal (60% to 70% carbon).
- Bituminous: Medium-rank coal, dull black (70% to 80% carbon).
- Anthracite: High-rank, shiny black coal (95% carbon).

Petroleum

Derives from Latin "petra" (rock) and "oleum" (oil).
Formed from the remains of marine life buried under sediment.

Natural Gas

Created from decomposing organic materials under heat and pressure.
Originates alongside the formation of petroleum, but distinct in its composition.

Renewable Resources

Can be replenished or regenerated in human time periods.
Includes geothermal energy, flowing water, wind, solar energy, and biomass.

Minerals

Naturally occurring inorganic solids with a crystalline structure and fixed or variable chemical composition.
General characteristics include being naturally occurring, inorganic, solids with definite chemical composition, and ordered internal structure.
Classification based on composition includes silicates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, carbonates, and native metals.

Mineral Classifications

Silicates: Major rock-forming minerals primarily composed of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons (SiO4−2); examples include olivine and quartz.
Oxides: Formed from metal cations bond with oxygen anions; examples include magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (Fe2O3).
Sulfides: Composed of metal cations bonded to sulfide ions (S2−); notable examples are pyrite (FeS2) and galena (PbS).
Sulfates: Metal cations bonded to sulfate (SO4) groups; gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) is a key example.
Halides: Contain halogen ions like chlorine or fluorine; examples include salt (NaCl) and fluorite (CaF2).
Carbonates: Feature the carbonic ion (CO3) bonded with elements like calcium or magnesium; dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) and calcite (CaCO3) are important examples.
Native Metals: Consist of single metals, such as copper (Cu) and gold (Au).

Physical Properties of Minerals

Color and Streak: Color is the most visible characteristic for identification; streak refers to the color of a mineral in powdered form and is determined using a streak plate.
Hardness: Indicates the strength of chemical bonds in a mineral's structure, measured using the Mohs scale.
Cleavage and Fracture: Cleavage is the tendency to break along planes of weakness; fracture refers to irregular breakage.
Crystalline Structure: Determined by a mineral's definite chemical composition; habit describes the mineral’s outward appearance (e.g., granular, massive).
Transparency: Measures the light passage through a mineral; quartz can exhibit varying levels of transparency.
Magnetism: The ability of a mineral to attract or repel other minerals; lodestone is a notable example.
Tenacity: Resistance of a mineral to stress like bending or breaking.
Luster: Describes how light reflects off a mineral's surface.
Density: Specific gravity measures mineral density, which is important in identification.

Rocks

Rocks are aggregates of minerals and materials bound through natural processes, primarily found in the lithosphere.
Igneous Rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of magma; examples include granite, which is used for flooring and countertops.
Sedimentary Rocks: Formed from lithification of weathered particles; feature deposits on Earth's surface; examples include sandstone and limestone used in construction.
Metamorphic Rocks: Result from metamorphism involving high pressure and temperature transformations of pre-existing rocks; examples include marble and gneiss used in construction and art.

Finding and Mining Minerals

An ore is a rock containing valuable minerals; geologists assess geological formations for mineral deposits.
Profitability governs the decision to mine mineral deposits; they are only termed ore deposits if mining is profitable.
Geologists look for surface clues like discoloration to locate mineral deposits.

Mining Methods

Surface Mining: Involves removing vegetation and layers of earth to access minerals close to the surface; includes methods like open-pit and strip mining.
Example of surface mining includes Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mine, which uses haul trucks capable of carrying hundreds of tons of ore.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of energy and various types of resources, including non-renewable and renewable resources. You will learn how energy is defined as the capacity to do work and the significance of distinct resource categories. Get ready to enhance your understanding of these essential topics!