Minerals

Question 1

Define and recognize the fundamental properties of a mineral.

Answer 1

Some properties are that MINERALS are:

1. NATURALLY OCCURRING
2. CRYSTALLINE
3. FORMED BY NATURAL GEOLOGIC PROCESSES.

Question 2

Can you explain the basic properties of minerals, such as hardness, luster, streak, and specific gravity?

Answer 2

HARDNESS IS WHETHER THE MINERAL CAN RESIST SCRATCHING OR ABRASION.
LUSTER is how LIGHT BOUNCES off the mineral. Whether it is non-metallic or metallic.
STREAK is the POWDER TRAIL it leaves on scratched.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY is the HEAVINESS of a mineral and express WEIGHT of a mineral and EQUAL VOLUME OF WATER.

Question 3

What is the difference between cleavage and crystal habit in a mineral?

Answer 3

CRYSTAL HABIT is how a the reflection of the mineral glows and CLEAVAGE is it BREAKS along the mineral.

Question 4

Describe the difference between covalent, ionic and van der Waals bond.

Answer 4

IONIC BONDS: EXCHANGE ATOMS but DO NOT SHARE ELECTRONS.
COVALENT: ATOMS SHARE ELECTRONS.
VAN DER WAALS BONDS: SHARE RESIDUAL CHARGES.

Question 5

Can you describe the structure of a silica tetrahedron?

Answer 5

Shaped like a PYRAMID with ONE CENTRAL SILICON ATOM surrounded by FOUR OXYGEN ATOMS all bonded together.

Question 6

Name the three most abundant elements in the whole Earth and the three most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust.

Answer 6

Silicon, Oxygen and Aluminum is three most abundant elements in EARTH’S CRUST. Silicon, Oxygen, and Iron are the three most abundant elements in the WHOLE EARTH.