rocks and minerals

Question 1

what are the 5 defining characteristics of a mineral

Answer 1

naturally occuring, inorganic, solid, orderly crystal structure, definite chemical composition

Question 2

how many minerals are identified and how many are common

Answer 2

4000, 20

Question 3

what are the 20 common minerals known as and where do they form

Answer 3

rock-farming, earths crust

Question 4

what are minerals classified by

Answer 4

elements each mineral is made of

Question 5

what are silicate minerals composed of

Answer 5

oxygen and silicon

Question 6

what is the most abundant group of minerals that make up 90% of the earth’s crust

Answer 6

silicate minerals

Question 7

what is the most abundant group of minerals that make up 90% of the earth’s crust

Answer 7

silicate

Question 8

what group of minerals only make up 10% of the earth’s crust

Answer 8

non-silicate

Question 9

what are the 6 classes of non-silicate minerals

Answer 9

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

Question 10

what are the carbonate, oxide, sulfide groups composed of

Answer 10

carbonates - carbon, oxygen and a positive ion (calcium)
oxides - metallic ion & oxygen
sulfides - sulfur & a metal ion

Question 11

what are the sulfate, halide, native element groups composed of

Answer 11

sulfates - metal ion, sulfur, oxygen
halides - ex. fluorine, chlorine, iodine combines with sodium, potassium, or calcium
native elements - single elements ex. gold & silver

Question 12

what things are the 7 needed properties to identify minerals

Answer 12

color, luster (surface reflection, metallic, non-metallic), streak, cleavage & fracture, hardness, gravity, special properties

Question 13

what is the definition of rocks

Answer 13

any solid mass of mineral that occurs naturally

Question 14

3 major rock types

Answer 14

igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary

Question 15

what is the continuous process that causes rocks to change

Answer 15

rock cycle

Question 16

how do igneous rocks form

Answer 16

magma cools and crystallizes beneath the surface or from a volcanic eruption

Question 17

how do sedimentary rocks form

Answer 17

weathered parts of preexisting rocks are compacted and cemented

Question 18

how do metamorphic rocks form

Answer 18

alteration of preexisting rock deep in the earth by heat and pressure

Question 19

what is magma

Answer 19

liquid material that forms deep beneath earth’s surface

Question 20

what is lava

Answer 20

magma that reaches the surface

Question 21

what is weathering

Answer 21

process that breaks rocks down by water, air, living things

Question 22

what is sediment

Answer 22

weathered pieces of earth materials