Chapter 1: Minerals Of The Earth's Crust

Question 1

Characteristics of minerals:

Answer 1

Atoms and compounds- each element is made out of only 1 kind of atom. Most minerals are made out of several different elements.
Crystals- solid, geometric forms of minerals produced by a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules that is present throughout the mineral.

Question 2

How to tell if an object is a mineral: Is it nonliving material?

Answer 2

A mineral is inorganic, meaning it isn’t made of living things.

Question 3

How to tell if an object is a mineral: is it a solid?

Answer 3

Minerals can’t be gases or liquids.

Question 4

How to tell if an object is a mineral: Is it formed in nature?

Answer 4

Crystalline materials made by people aren’t classified as minerals.

Question 5

How to tell if an object is a mineral: does it have a crystalline structure?

Answer 5

Minerals are crystals, which have a repeating inner structure that is often reflected in the shape of the crystal. Minerals generally have the same chemical composition throughout

Question 6

A mineral that contains a combination of silicon and oxygen and that may also contain one or more metals. (90% of earths crust) Usually contains aluminum, iron, magnesium, potassium.

Answer 6

Silicate mineral

Question 7

A mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen. (10 % of earths crust) Usually made up of carbon fluorine, sulfur.

Answer 7

Nonsilicate mineral

Question 8

A substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. It is only made up of one kind of atom. Ex. Gold

Answer 8

Element

Question 9

A substance made up of atoms two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds.

Answer 9

Compound

Question 10

A solid geometric form of mineral produced by a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules that are present throughout a mineral

Answer 10

Crystal

Question 11

Identifying minerals: Color

Answer 11

The same mineral can come in a variety of color. Impurities and the way a mineral reacts to air and water affect color. Not the best way to identify a mineral

Question 12

Identifying minerals: luster

Answer 12

The way in which a mineral reflects light.
Shiny=metallic luster
Dull=sub/non metallic

Question 13

Identifying minerals: streak

Answer 13

The color of a mineral in powdered form
It is seen when you rub a mineral against a streak plate
Better way to identify a mineral than color

Question 14

Identifying minerals: cleavage

Answer 14

When a mineral breaks along a smooth flat surface

Question 15

Identifying minerals: fracture

Answer 15

When a mineral breaks unevenly along a curved or irregular surface.

Question 16

Identifying minerals: hardness

Answer 16

A measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching
Measured by Moh’s Hardness Scale
Talc = 1. Diamond = 10

Question 17

Identifying minerals: density

Answer 17

Measure of how much matter is in a given amount of space. Golf ball feels heavier than a ping pong ball

Specific gravity- the ratio of an objects density to the density of water

Question 18

A naturally formed inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure

Answer 18

Mineral

Question 19

The smallest part of an element that has all the properties of an element such as color, density, luster, streak, hardness cleavage and fracture

Answer 19

Atom

Question 20

A mineral that is composed of only one element is called

Answer 20

Native element

Question 21

What determines a Chrystal’s shape

Answer 21

The arrangement of atoms or molecules that make up the mineral

Question 22

A minerals properties depend on what

Answer 22

The environment where the mineral is formed

Near earths surface Or
Deep beneath the surface

Question 23

A mineral deposit large enough and pure enough to be mined for profit

Answer 23

Ore

Question 24

Mining done Identifying minerals:hen minerals are close to earths surface by use of open pits, surface coal mines and quarries

Answer 24

Surface mining

Question 25

Type of mining done When minerals are located deep within the earth. Such as mines with shafts and passage ways

Answer 25

Subsurface Mining

Question 26

What can make ning do to the environment if not responsible and careful

Answer 26

Destroy habitats of plants and animals. Waste products can pollute water

Question 27

When land is returned to its original state when mining is complete

Answer 27

Mine reclamation

Question 28

Shiny surface, light can pass through them, good conductor of heat and electricity

Answer 28

Gold, Silver, and copper

Question 29

Surfaces are dull, some light may be able to pass through. Good insulators of electricity

Answer 29

Calcite, silica

Question 30

Highly valued for beauty and rarity. Color is most important characteristic. Must be hard enough to polish its mass is expressed in units called “carats”

Answer 30

Gemstones