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Geology for Engineers > Chapter 2 - Mineralogy > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - Mineralogy Flashcards

1
Q

The study of minerals.

A

Mineralogy

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2
Q

The basis for the formation of rocks.

A

Minerals

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3
Q

It makes up the minerals and minerals make up rocks.

A

Matter (elements)

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4
Q

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

A

Mineral

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5
Q

These determine the physical properties of minerals.

A

Chemical formula and the Crystal lattice

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6
Q

The types and proportions of the chemical elements

A

Chemical Formula

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7
Q

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

A

Crystal Lattice

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8
Q

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

A

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

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9
Q

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

A

Color

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10
Q

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

A

Luster

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11
Q

The standard names of luster

A

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

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12
Q

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

A

Streak

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13
Q

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

A

Hardness

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14
Q

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

A

Mohs hardness scale

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15
Q

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

A

Cleavage

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16
Q

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

A

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

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17
Q

The possible number of cleavages a mineral may have.

A

1, 2, 3, 4, and 6

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18
Q

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

A

Fracture

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19
Q

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

A

Conchoidal fracture

20
Q

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

A

Irregular Fracture

21
Q

Mineral glows under ultraviolet light

A

Fluorescence

22
Q

A mineral is attracted to a magnet

23
Q

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

A

Radioactivity

24
Q

Bubbles form when the mineral is exposed to a weak acid

A

Reactivity

25
Q

Some minerals have a distinctive smell

26
Q

Some minerals taste salty

27
Q

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

28
Q

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

A

Silicate Minerals

29
Q

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

A

Nesosilicates

30
Q

The silicate tetrahedra are bonded in pairs.

A

Sorosilicates

31
Q

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

A

Cyclosilicates

32
Q

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

A

Phyllosilicates or sheet silicates

33
Q

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

A

Single-chain inosilicates

34
Q

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

A

Double-chain inosilicates

35
Q

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

A

Tectosilicate

36
Q

These are based on the sulfide ion

37
Q

These are based on the carbonate ion

A

Carbonates

38
Q

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

A

Carbonate Minerals

39
Q

These are based on the oxygen anion

40
Q

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

41
Q

These have the polyatomic sulfate ion, as the anion.

42
Q

These have the polyatomic phosphate ion, as the anion.

A

Phosphates

43
Q

These are made of nothing but a single element.

A

Native Elements

44
Q

Ways of Identifying Minerals

A
  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
45
Q

Formation of Minerals

A
  • Formation from Hot Materials
  • Formation from Solutions

Geology for Engineers (2 decks)

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