Chapter 2 Minerals

Question 1

An element is a substance that

a. exists naturally as a solid, liquid, and gas.
b. cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
c. is above 86 on the periodic table.
d. can be broken down only by chemical means.

Answer 1

b. cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Question 2

Which particles make up atoms?

a. protons, neutrons, electrons
b. protons, electrons, nuclei
c. electrons, neutrons, ions
d. neutrons, electrons, molecules

Answer 2

a. protons, neutrons, electrons

Question 3

Which of the following is an element?

a. water
b. hydrogen
c. air
d. carbon dioxide

Answer 3

b. hydrogen

Question 4

When elements are more stable in a combined form, which of the following forms?

a. atoms
b. metals
c. nuclei
d. compounds

Answer 4

d. compounds

Question 5

A compound contains two or more

a. elements physically combined.
b. simple substances.
c. elements chemically combined.
d. nuclei combined with electrons.

Answer 5

c. elements chemically combined.

Question 6

Isotopes are atoms of an element

a. with the same number of electrons but different numbers of protons.
b. that are radioactive.
c. with a magnetic charge.
d. with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.

Answer 6

d. with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.

Question 7

Chemical bonds are likely to form when

a. two atoms have the same number of electrons.
b. an atom’s outer energy level doesn’t have the maximum number of electrons.
c. an atom’s nucleus has the same number of protons as neutrons.
d. an atom’s outer energy level is filled.

Answer 7

b. an atom’s outer energy level doesn’t have the maximum number of electrons.

Question 8

Crystallization from cooling magma describes one way that

a. atoms bond.
b. ions combine.
c. protons attract electrons.
d. minerals form.

Answer 8

d. minerals form.

Question 9

What process causes dissolved substances to be left behind to form minerals after water in lakes or ponds evaporates?

a. precipitation
b. ionization
c. condensation
d. sublimation

Answer 9

a. precipitation

Question 10

Minerals are classified according to their

a. color.
b. origin.
c. composition.
d. specific gravity.

Answer 10

c. composition.

Question 11

Which of these is a mineral?

a. oxygen
b. diamond
c. sulfuric acid
d. wood

Answer 11

b. diamond

Question 12

Major groups of minerals include

a. oxides and carbonates.
b. ions and isotopes.
c. silicates and magnetics.
d. inorganics and halides.

Answer 12

a. oxides and carbonates.

Question 13

A mineral CANNOT be

a. solid.
b. formed from once-living material.
c. naturally occurring.
d. light in color.

Answer 13

b. formed from once-living material.

Question 14

To what class of minerals do gold, silver, and copper belong?

a. carbonates
b. native elements
c. halides
d. sulfates and sulfides

Answer 14

b. native elements

Question 15

When carbonate minerals come into contact with hydrochloric acid, they

a. break.
b. fizz.
c. freeze.
d. evaporate.

Answer 15

b. fizz.

Question 16

Which of the following is a property of minerals?

a. age
b. odor
c. hardness
d. size

Answer 16

c. hardness

Question 17

If a mineral breaks along flat or even surfaces, it has

a. luster.
b. fracture.
c. cleavage.
d. streak.

Answer 17

c. cleavage.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a distinctive property of minerals?

a. greasy feel
b. magnetism
c. double refraction
d. streak

Answer 18

d. streak

Question 19

The Mohs scale measures

a. density of a mineral.
b. a mineral’s hardness.
c. the luster of a mineral.
d. a mineral’s type of crystalline structure.

Answer 19

b. a mineral’s hardness.

Question 20

Diamond is

a. the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale.
b. a nonmetallic element.
c. the only mineral with luster.
d. an isotope of silicon.

Answer 20

a. the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale.