Study for first test Flashcards
Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron
All silicates have the same fundamental building block.
One silicon atom in the center and four oxygen atoms at the corners
Silicates
The most common group of rock forming minerals
Gneiss
A metamorphic rock that has corse grained texture minimal amounts of mica and contained minerals that are segregated into bands
Mica schist
A metamorphic rock that has a coarse grained texture is dominated by mica. There can be traces of quartz.
Slate
A metamorphic rock that has a microscopic to very fine grained texture breaks into slabs or sheets and is dull on the surface
Marble
A metamorphic rock that lacks foliation and reacts to hydrochloric acid
Quartzite
A metamorphic rock that lacks foliation, scratches glass and is composed of interlocking quartz grains
Isostasy
The rising and sinking of Earths crust relative to the mantle in response to the redistribution of mass on the surface
Iron produces what colors in minerals?
Brown, yellow or red hues
Copper turns rocks and minerals what color?
Blue or green
Hydrosphere
Dynamic mass of water that is continually moving, evaporating from the oceans to the atmosphere. Precipitating to the land and flowing back to the ocean.
Atmosphere
Earth is surrounded by. Life-giving gaseous envelope. Provides the air that we breathe. Protects from dangerous radiation from sun. This produces effects to the weather and climate.
Biosphere
All life on earth.
Geosphere
Lying beneath the atmosphere and the ocean is the solid earth. From surface to the center of the planet. Largest if the earth spheres.
What are the layers to the Geosphere?
Core- dense inner sphere
Mantle- less dense
Crust- the light and very thin outer skin if earth
Lithosphere
Rigid outer layer that includes the crust and uppermost mantle.
Asthenosphere
Beneath the lithosphere- weak and able to slowly flow in response to the uneven distribution of heat deep within earth.
Geologic time
The span of time since the formation of earth.
Renewable
Which means that they can be replenished over relatively short time spans. Ex: plants and animals
Nonrenewable
Important metals such as iron. Aluminum, and copper. Fixed quantities of these substances
Mineral
Any naturally occurring inorganic solid that possesses an orderly crystalline structure and a definite chemical composition that allows for some variation
Rock
Any solid mass of mineral or mineral like. Matter that occurs naturally as part of our planet
Aggregate
Minerals are joined in such a way that their individual properties are retained.
Limestone
Sedimentary rock. Composed of almost entirely of calcite with most forms being composed of shells or skeletons of past organisms
Obsidian
Composed of no mineral matter. Volcanic rocks. Noncrystalline glassy substance
Coal
Consists of solid organic debris
Atoms
Small particles that can not be chemically split. Protons and neutrons in the nucleus and is surrounded by electrons
Protons and electorns
Opposite charges. Protons +1 and Electrons -1. There are equal amounts of protons and electrons in atoms.
Atomic number
The number protons in the nucleus of an atom. Determines chemical nature.
Chemical bond
Is a transfer or sharing of electrons that allows each atom to attain a full valence shell of electrons
Metallic bonds
Valence electrons are free to move from one atom to another. All atoms sharing the available valence electrons. Ex: copper, gold, aluminum
Luster - physical properties of minerals
Appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral. Pg 31
Streak- physical properties of minerals
Color of a mineral in powdered form. Streak is obtained by rubbing it across a streak plate.
Color and ability to transmit light
Both physical optical properties of minerals. Pg 31
Crystal shape or habit
Refers to the common or characteristic shape of individual crystals or aggregates of crystals.
Tenacity - mineral strength
A minerals toughness or it’s resistance to breaking or deforming.
Hardness- mineral strength
A measure of the resistance of a mineral to abrasion or scratching. This property is determined by rubbing a mineral of unkind hardness against one if known hardness.