mineralogy Flashcards
What is the study of minerals called?
Mineralogy
True or False: Minerals are organic compounds.
False
What is the most common mineral group in the Earth’s crust?
Silicates
Fill in the blank: The hardness of a mineral is measured using the ______ scale.
Mohs
What property of minerals describes how they reflect light?
Luster
Which mineral is the hardest according to the Mohs scale?
Diamond
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of minerals? A) Naturally occurring B) Inorganic C) Man-made D) Solid
C) Man-made
What is the term for the arrangement of atoms in a mineral?
Crystal structure
True or False: All minerals have a definite chemical composition.
True
What is the primary component of the mineral quartz?
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
Fill in the blank: The process by which minerals form from cooling magma is called ______.
Crystallization
Which mineral is commonly used in the production of glass?
Quartz
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a silicate mineral? A) Calcite B) Feldspar C) Gypsum D) Halite
B) Feldspar
What is the term for the way a mineral breaks along flat planes?
Cleavage
True or False: All minerals are crystals.
False
What is the specific gravity of a mineral?
The ratio of the density of the mineral to the density of water.
Fill in the blank: The mineral ______ is commonly known as table salt.
Halite
What type of rock is formed from the accumulation of minerals?
Sedimentary rock
Multiple choice: Which mineral group does talc belong to? A) Silicates B) Oxides C) Carbonates D) Sulfates
A) Silicates
What is a common use for the mineral gypsum?
Drywall production
True or False: Minerals can be classified based on their chemical composition.
True
What is the term for a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals?
Rock
Fill in the blank: The mineral ______ is known for its use in making jewelry and is a form of aluminum oxide.
Corundum
What is the name of the process by which minerals are formed through evaporation?
Evaporite formation
Multiple choice: Which mineral is commonly associated with the formation of limestone? A) Calcite B) Quartz C) Mica D) Feldspar
A) Calcite
What does the term ‘streak’ refer to in mineralogy?
The color of the powder produced when a mineral is rubbed on a streak plate.
True or False: The color of a mineral is always a reliable indicator of its identity.
False
