Chapter 3 - Minerals

Question 1

What is a mineral?

Answer 1

1) Naturally occurring
2) Inorganic
3) Crystalline solid
4) Specific chemical compound.

Question 2

Isotopes

Answer 2

The number of neutrons in a carbon atom may change and create an isotope. Carbon 12, 13, and 14 are carbon isotopes.

Question 3

Ionic Bonding

Answer 3

Transfer of electrons. Form when shells are nearly empty or nearly full and creates a weak bond.

Question 4

Covalent Bonding

Answer 4

Sharing of Electrons. Form when shells are half full and creates a strong bond.

Question 5

What kind of bonding would make a diamond?

Answer 5

Covalent bonding

Question 6

What determines how a mineral will form?

Answer 6

1) The available elements
2) Ionic substitution
3) Conditions of Cyrstalization

Question 7

Polymorphs

Answer 7

Minerals that have the same composition but different crystal structure. Ex: diamonds and graphite.

Question 8

How do minerals form?

Answer 8

Chemical reactions between elements and crystallization.

Question 9

What is the most abundant type of mineral group in the earth’s crust?

Answer 9

Silicates.

Question 10

What is crystallization?

Answer 10

The growth of a solid from a gas or liquid whose constituents come together in the proper chemical proportions and crystalline arrangement.

Question 11

What conditions cause minerals to form?

Answer 11

1) Lower the temperature of a liquid below its freezing point.
2) Liquids evaporate from a solution forming a supersaturated solution and results in a precipitate.
3) When atoms and ions in a solid become mobile and rearrange themselves at high temperature.

Question 12

Properties: Color

Answer 12

Least reliable as it depends on the presence of certain ions, such as iron, chromium, cobalt, etc

Question 13

Properties: Luster

Answer 13

How the surface reflects light. Two main types of luster: metallic and non-metallic.

Question 14

Properties: Streak

Answer 14

Color of a mineral in a powered state.

Question 15

Properties: Cleavage vs Fracture

Answer 15

Cleavage: the tendency of a mineral to break along points of weakness.
Fracture: the mineral will break randomly.

Question 16

Properties: Hardness

Answer 16

A mineral’s resistance to scratching and abrasion. Based upon Moh’s Hardness Scale.

Question 17

Properties: Specific Gravity

Answer 17

Ratio of weight to an equal volume of water. Basically how heavy it feels relative to other minerals.

Question 18

Properties: Crystal Habit

Answer 18

The characteristic shape a mineral grows in.

Question 19

Silicates

Answer 19

Most abundant mineral group in the crust. Dominates all three rock types. Composed of silicon and Oxygen = silica

Question 20

What are some of the other mineral group types?

Answer 20

Carbonates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, and native elements.

Question 21

What is asbestos?

Answer 21

It is a commercial definition for minerals that are flexible, chemically and thermally resistant, and can be woven.

Question 22

What was asbestos used for?

Answer 22

Building products, like tile, insulation products, and such.

Question 23

Exposure to some types of asbestos can cause what?

Answer 23

Mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer.

Question 24

What type of mineral in the asbestos group is harmful?

Answer 24

Crocidolite. It forms sharp needle like fibers that can puncture lungs.

Question 25

What type of mineral in the asbestos group is not harmful?

Answer 25

Chryotile. Its fibers dissolve more easily.

Question 26

Where do diamonds come from?

Answer 26

Brought to the surface through kimerlite pipes.

Question 27

Where do diamonds form?

Answer 27

In the mantle.