Lecture 2

Question 1

Define mineral

Answer 1

Naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid, with a definite, bit sometimes variable, chemical composition.

Question 2

Can the chemical composition of a mineral vary?

Answer 2

Yes, within a restricted range.

Question 3

What is the smallest component of nature within the properties of a given substance?

Answer 3

Atom

Question 4

What are the 3 types of bonds?

Answer 4

Ionic, covalent, metallic

Question 5

What does atomic structure determine?

Answer 5

What element it is, the type of ion, and what bonds can form.

Question 6

Define an element.

Answer 6

A substance made entirely from one type of atom.

Question 7

How many elements are there?

Answer 7

118

Question 8

What charge is needed to crystallize?

Answer 8

Neutral charge.

Question 9

What are 7 mineral properties?

Answer 9

Hardness, cleavage, lustre, streak, density, crystal form and habit, colour.

Question 10

What is cleavage?

Answer 10

The ability of a mineral to break in a reproducible way leaving a flat smooth surface.

Question 11

What is fracture?

Answer 11

Uneven breakage.

Question 12

What is hardness?

Answer 12

How easily a mineral can be scratched.

Question 13

What is lustre?

Answer 13

The interaction between light waves and the electrons in the crystal structure.

Question 14

Colour?

Answer 14

Result of wavelengths that are absorbed or reflected due to crystal structure.

Question 15

Streak?

Answer 15

Colour of powdered mineral on porcelain plate.

Question 16

Crystal form?

Answer 16

Due to atomic structure.

Question 17

Density?

Answer 17

due to number of protons and nuetrons.

Question 18

What are the 7 major mineral classes?

Answer 18

Silicates, native elements, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, carbonates.