Minerals

Mineral identification is perhaps the least suited to on-line practice of all the topics you will cover in your earth science course.  Perhaps with the inclusion of short video clips we will be able to demonstrate some of the tricks which help in the correct identification of minerals.  For now, review your notes on the definition of minerals, mineral properties and some of the most common minerals, then see how you do on the following short quiz:

Mineral Vocabulary and Concepts Quiz

1.  True or false:  All minerals have crystal structure.

2.  True or false:  All minerals will exhibit cleavage when broken.

3.  Which of the following is an example of a silicate mineral?

A) Pyrite  B) Quartz  C) Calcite  D) Hematite

4.  The color of the powder of a mineral is called the mineral's:

A) Luster  B) Luminosity  C) Fracture  D) Streak  E) Refraction

5.  The hardness of a mineral is defined as:

A) The tendency to split along a plane of weakness in the crystal structure
B) The depth of a curved fracture
C) The resistance to melting under oxidizing conditions
D) The resistance to scratching

6.  What mineral is assigned a hardness of 10 on Mohs hardness scale? ________________

7.  What mineral has the chemical formula of Fe₂O₃? _______________

8.  What is the definition of a native mineral? __________________________________

9.  What is the hardness of a fingernail on Mohs hardness scale? ______

10.  Name a mineral which is strongly magnetic: __________________

11.  Which of the following mineral groups is most common in the earth's crust?

A) Silicates  B) Carbonates  C) Oxides  D) Sulfides   E) Sulfates

12.  Graphite and diamond have the same chemical formula, but different crystal structure.  These two minerals are thus an example of:

A) Structural polymorphism  B) Silicate mineralogy  C) Gem stones  D) Differential oxidation

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