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 2

It makes up the minerals and minerals make up rocks.

Answer 2

Matter (elements)

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Mineral

Question 4

These determine the physical properties of minerals.

Answer 4

Chemical formula and the Crystal lattice

Question 5

The types and proportions of the chemical elements

Answer 5

Chemical Formula

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Crystal Lattice

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Plagioclase
quartz

orthoclase
amphibole

pyroxene
olivine
calcite

biotite
garnet
clay

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Color

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Luster

Question 10

The standard names of luster

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Streak

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Hardness

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Mohs hardness scale

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Cleavage

Question 15

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

Answer 15

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

Question 16

The possible number of cleavages a mineral may have.

Answer 16

1, 2, 3, 4, and 6

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Fracture

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Conchoidal fracture

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Irregular Fracture

Question 20

Mineral glows under ultraviolet light

Answer 20

Fluorescence

Question 21

A mineral is attracted to a magnet

Answer 21

Magnetism

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Radioactivity

Question 23

Bubbles form when the mineral is exposed to a weak acid

Answer 23

Reactivity

Question 24

Some minerals have a distinctive _____.

Answer 24

Smell

Question 25

Some minerals ____ salty

Answer 25

Taste

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Silicates

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Silicate Minerals

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Nesosilicates

Question 29

The silicate tetrahedra are bonded in pairs.

Answer 29

Sorosilicates

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Cyclosilicates

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Phyllosilicates or sheet silicates

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Single-chain inosilicates

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Double-chain inosilicates

Question 34

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 34

Tectosilicate

Question 35

These are based on the sulfide ion

Answer 35

Sulfides

Question 36

These are based on the carbonate ion

Answer 36

Carbonates

Question 37

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

Answer 37

Carbonate Minerals

Question 38

These are based on the oxygen anion

Answer 38

Oxides

Question 39

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

Answer 39

Halides

Question 40

These have the polyatomic sulfate ion, as the anion

Answer 40

Sulfates

Question 41

These have the polyatomic phosphate ion, as the anion.

Answer 41

Phosphates

Question 42

These are made of nothing but a single element.

Answer 42

Native Elements

Question 43

Ways of Identifying Minerals

Answer 43

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 44

Formation of Minerals

Answer 44

- Formation from Hot Materials - Formation from Solutions