Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Section 1: What is a mineral?

What is a mineral?

1
Which crystal shown in the figure is the type of crystal found in pyrite?
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/0078664233/184123/21mineral_ss_040c.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (5.0K)</a>
A)1
B)none are found in pyrite
C)3
D)2
2
What is the correct atomic composition of quartz?
A)two silica atoms
B)four atoms of silica and oxygen each
C)two oxygen atoms and one silica atom
D)two silica atoms and one iron atom
3
What is the most abundant element in Earth's crust?
A)potassium
B)oxygen
C)silica
D)iron
4
A crystal is found with monoclinic structure. What element shown in the figure is this crystal most like structurally?
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/0078664233/184123/13_crysys_gm_040c.jpg','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (19.0K)</a>
A)topaz
B)feldspar
C)gypsum
D)pyrite
5
When magma cools quickly, __________ crystals form, and when it cools slowly, __________ crystals form.
A)shiny, dull
B)large, large
C)broken, crystals
D)small, large
6
Which is not a characteristic of a mineral?
A)naturally occurring
B)organic solid
C)specific chemical composition
D)definite crystal structure
7
What are the common minerals called?
A)abundant minerals
B)igneous minerals
C)crystal minerals
D)rock-forming minerals
8
What is the molten material under Earth's crust called?
A)solution
B)minerals
C)basalt
D)magma
9
What is an example of an oxide?
A)calcite
B)magnetite
C)sulfur
D)anhydrite
10
Which is a mineral?
A)salt
B)amber
C)coal
D)sugar
11
A(n) __________ is a solid in which the atoms are arranged in repeating patterns.
A)magma
B)rock
C)atom
D)crystal
12
According to the table, what is a characteristic of metallic minerals?
Table 2 Minerals with Metallic Luster

Mineral
(Formula)

ColorStreakHardnessSpecific GravityCrystal SystemBreakage patternUses and Other Properties
Bornite
(Cu5FeS2)		bronze, tarnishes to dark blue purple gray-black3 4.9-5.4 tetragonal uneven fracturesource of copper
called "peacock ore" Because of the purple shine when it tarnishes
Chalcopyrite
(CuFeS2)		brassy to golden yellowgreenish black3.5-44.2tetragonaluneven fracturemain ore of copper
Chromite
(FeCr2O4)		 black or Brownbrown to Black5.54.6cubicirregular fractureore of chromium, stainless steel, metallurgical bricks
Copper
(Cu)		copper redcopper red38.5 -9cubichacklycoins, pipes, gutters, wire, cooking utensils, jewelry, decorative plaques; malleable and ductile
Galena (PbS)gray gray to black2.57.5cubiccubic cleavage perfectsource of lead, used in pipes, shields for X-rays, fishing equipment sinkers
Gold
(Au)		pale to golden yellowyellow2.5-319.3cubichacklyjewelry, money, gold leaf, filling for teeth, medicines, does not tarnish
Graphite
(C)		black to grayblack to gray1-22.3hexagonalbasal cleavage (scales)pencil lead, lubricants for locks, rods to control some small nuclear reactions, battery poles
Hematite
(Specular)
(fe2O3)		Black or reddish brownred or reddish brown65.3hexagonalirregular fracturesource of iron; roasted ina blast furnace, converted into pig iron, made into steel
Magnetite
(fe3O4)		black black65.2cubicconchodial fracturesource of iron, naturally magnetic, called lodestone
Pyrite
(FeS2)		light, brassy yellowgreenish black6.55.0cubicuneven fracturesource of iron, "fool's gold," alters to limonite
Pyrrhotite
(Fe1-x S)*

*contains one less atom of Fe than S 		bronzegray-black44.6hexagonaluneven fracturean ore of iron and sulfur; may be magnetic
Silver(Ag)silvery white, tarnishes to black light gray to silver2.510-12cubichacklycoins, filling for teeth, jewelry, silver plate, wires; malleable and ductile

A)colorless streak
B)low hardness value
C)gray, green, brown, or red streak
D)no crystalline structure
13
Which crystal shown in the figure is hexagonal?
<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=gif::::/sites/dl/free/0078664233/184123/21mineral_ss_040c.gif','popWin', 'width=NaN,height=NaN,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (5.0K)</a>
A)none are hexagonal
B)2
C)1
D)3
14
How do crystals of salt form?
A)inside caves
B)in glacial ice
C)from magma
D)from solution
Glencoe Online Learning CenterScience HomeProduct InfoSite MapContact Us

The McGraw-Hill CompaniesGlencoe

Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before you explore our Web site. To report a technical problem with this Web site, please contact the Web Producer.