Chapter 2 - Mineralogy

Question 1

The study of minerals.

Answer 1

Mineralogy

Question 2

The basis for the formation of rocks.

Answer 2

Minerals

Question 3

It makes up the minerals and minerals make up rocks.

Answer 3

Matter (elements)

Question 4

A naturally occurring combination of specific elements arranged in a particular repeating three-dimensional structure or lattice.

Answer 4

Mineral

Question 5

These determine the physical properties of minerals.

Answer 5

Chemical formula and the Crystal lattice

Question 6

The types and proportions of the chemical elements

Answer 6

Chemical Formula

Question 7

The geometry of how the atoms are arranged and bonded together)

Answer 7

Crystal Lattice

Question 8

Ten minerals make up most of the volume of the earth’s crust

Answer 8

Plagioclase, quartz, orthoclase, amphibole, pyroxene, olivine, calcite, biotite, garnet, and clay

Question 9

Readily observable and certainly obvious, but it is usually less reliable than other physical properties.

Answer 9

Color

Question 10

Describes the reflection of light off a mineral’s surface.

Answer 10

Luster

Question 11

The standard names of luster

Answer 11

Metallic, glassy, pearly, silky, greasy, and dull

Question 12

The color of a mineral’s powder. A more reliable property than color because this does not vary.

Answer 12

Streak

Question 13

The strength with which a mineral resists its surface being scraped or punctured.

Answer 13

Hardness

Question 14

In working with hand samples without specialized tools, mineral hardness is specified by __________.

Answer 14

Mohs hardness scale

Question 15

The tendency of a mineral to break along certain planes to make smooth surfaces.

Answer 15

Cleavage

Question 16

The cleavage properties of a mineral are described in terms of ________.

Answer 16

The number of cleavages and, if more than one cleavage, the angles between the cleavages

Question 17

The possible number of cleavages a mineral may have.

Answer 17

1, 2, 3, 4, and 6

Question 18

A break in a mineral that is not along a cleavage plane.

Answer 18

Fracture

Question 19

The way a thick piece of glass breaks with concentric, curving ridges on the broken surfaces.

Answer 19

Conchoidal fracture

Question 20

A standard term for fractures that do not exhibit any of the qualities of the other fracture types.

Answer 20

Irregular Fracture

Question 21

Mineral glows under ultraviolet light

Answer 21

Fluorescence

Question 22

A mineral is attracted to a magnet

Answer 22

Magnetism

Question 23

Mineral gives off radiation that can be measured with a Geiger counter

Answer 23

Radioactivity

Question 24

Bubbles form when the mineral is exposed to a weak acid

Answer 24

Reactivity

Question 25

Some minerals have a distinctive smell

Answer 25

Smell

Question 26

Some minerals taste salty

Answer 26

Taste

Question 27

Based on the polyatomic anion, which has a tetrahedral shape.

Answer 27

Silicates

Question 28

Most minerals in the earth’s crust and mantle are ____________.

Answer 28

Silicate Minerals

Question 29

The silicate tetrahedra are separated from each other and bonded completely to nonsilicate atoms.

Answer 29

Nesosilicates

Question 30

The silicate tetrahedra are bonded in pairs.

Answer 30

Sorosilicates

Question 31

The silicate tetrahedra are joined in rings. Beryl or emerald is an example.

Answer 31

Cyclosilicates

Question 32

The tetrahedra are bonded at three corners to form flat sheets. Biotite is an example

Answer 32

Phyllosilicates or sheet silicates

Question 33

The silicate tetrahedra are bonded in single chains. Pyroxenes is an example

Answer 33

Single-chain inosilicates

Question 34

The silicate tetrahedra are bonded in double chains. Amphiboles is an example

Answer 34

Double-chain inosilicates

Question 35

All corners of the silicate tetrahedra are bonded to corners of other silicate tetrahedra, forming a complete framework of silicate tetrahedra in all directions. Feldspar, the most common mineral in earth’s crust, and quartz are the examples

Answer 35

Tectosilicate

Question 36

These are based on the sulfide ion

Answer 36

Sulfides

Question 37

These are based on the carbonate ion

Answer 37

Carbonates

Question 38

This tends to dissolve relatively easily in water, especially acid water, and natural rainwater is slightly acid

Answer 38

Carbonate Minerals

Question 39

These are based on the oxygen anion

Answer 39

Oxides

Question 40

These have a halogen element as the anion, whether it be fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, or astatide.

Answer 40

Halides

Question 41

These have the polyatomic sulfate ion, as the anion.

Answer 41

Sulfates

Question 42

These have the polyatomic phosphate ion, as the anion.

Answer 42

Phosphates

Question 43

These are made of nothing but a single element.

Answer 43

Native Elements

Question 44

Ways of Identifying Minerals

Answer 44

1. Look at it closely on all visible sides to see how it reflects light 2. Test its hardness 3. Identify its cleavage or fracture 4. Name its luster 5. Evaluate any other physical properties necessary to determine the mineral’s identity

Question 45

Formation of Minerals

Answer 45

- Formation from Hot Materials - Formation from Solutions