Question 1

The property that distinguishes an atom to be that of a particular element is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the number of protons it has. 
B)  the number of neutrons and protons together. 
C)  the number of neutrons it has. 
D)  the number of electrons it has. 
A)  the number of protons it has. 
B)  the number of neutrons and protons together. 
C)  the number of neutrons it has. 
D)  the number of electrons it has. A

Question 2

In geology, a mineral is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A)  a natural substance that is neither animal nor plant, has a specific composition and structure, and contains one or more silicon- oxygen tetrahedra. 
B)  a naturally occurring, usually inorganic, solid consisting of chemical elements in specific proportions, whose atoms are arranged in a systematic internal pattern. 
C)  a naturally occurring crystalline inorganic solid that contains only one element. 
D)  a solid substance or element that is essential to human nutrition. 
A)  a natural substance that is neither animal nor plant, has a specific composition and structure, and contains one or more silicon- oxygen tetrahedra. 
B)  a naturally occurring, usually inorganic, solid consisting of chemical elements in specific proportions, whose atoms are arranged in a systematic internal pattern. 
C)  a naturally occurring crystalline inorganic solid that contains only one element. 
D)  a solid substance or element that is essential to human nutrition. B

Question 3

Which of the following statements concerning diamonds is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Diamonds are formed as a result of extreme pressure on coal that has been buried to a depth of more than 150 kilometers (90 miles). 
B)  Diamond is the world's hardest natural substance. 
C)  Diamonds are most often found in kimberlite pipes. 
D)  Only a few kimberlite pipes produce gem- quality diamonds. 
A)  Diamonds are formed as a result of extreme pressure on coal that has been buried to a depth of more than 150 kilometers (90 miles). 
B)  Diamond is the world's hardest natural substance. 
C)  Diamonds are most often found in kimberlite pipes. 
D)  Only a few kimberlite pipes produce gem- quality diamonds. A

Question 4

An atom with only one electron in its outer shell loses that electron, and does the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  become the atom of a different element. 
B)  become likely to form an ionic bond with another atom. 
C)  become electrically positive. 
D)  become more chemically stable. 
A)  become the atom of a different element. 
B)  become likely to form an ionic bond with another atom. 
C)  become electrically positive. 
D)  become more chemically stable.

Question 5

Which of the following statements concerning crystals is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are considered crystals only if they are naturally occurring. 
B)  On a microscopic level, the crystals of any given mineral possess exactly the same structure even if the crystals are not well formed. 
C)  They possess an orderly arrangement of ions or atoms in a three- dimensional latticework. 
D)  In well- formed crystals of a given mineral, angles among the planar surfaces are always the same. 
A)  They are considered crystals only if they are naturally occurring. 
B)  On a microscopic level, the crystals of any given mineral possess exactly the same structure even if the crystals are not well formed. 
C)  They possess an orderly arrangement of ions or atoms in a three- dimensional latticework. 
D)  In well- formed crystals of a given mineral, angles among the planar surfaces are always the same.

Question 6

Why are the names of minerals not based on the elements from which they are made? How are minerals named?

Accepted Answer

The names of minerals are not based on t

Question 7

Opal should NOT be considered a mineral because:

Accepted Answer

A)  it does not contain silicon- oxygen tetrahedrons. 
B)  it does not have a definite shape. 
C)  it does not have a systematic internal organization of its atoms. 
D)  it is organic in origin. 
A)  it does not contain silicon- oxygen tetrahedrons. 
B)  it does not have a definite shape. 
C)  it does not have a systematic internal organization of its atoms. 
D)  it is organic in origin.

Question 8

Which of the following atoms would be LEAST likely to bond with other atoms?

Accepted Answer

A)  An atom with 7 electrons in its outer shell and the same number of electrons as protons. 
B)  An atom with 7 electrons in its outer shell and fewer electrons than protons. 
C)  An atom with 8 electrons in its outer shell and fewer electrons than protons. 
D)  An atom with 8 electrons in its outer shell and the same number of electrons as protons. 
A)  An atom with 7 electrons in its outer shell and the same number of electrons as protons. 
B)  An atom with 7 electrons in its outer shell and fewer electrons than protons. 
C)  An atom with 8 electrons in its outer shell and fewer electrons than protons. 
D)  An atom with 8 electrons in its outer shell and the same number of electrons as protons.

Question 9

All of the following statements concerning synthetic gems are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  many synthetic gems are indistinguishable from natural ones except by laboratory analysis. 
B)  synthetic gems are generally inferior to natural gems. 
C)  synthetic gems are generally cheaper than natural gems. 
D)  many of the diamonds used in both industry and in jewelry are synthetic. 
A)  many synthetic gems are indistinguishable from natural ones except by laboratory analysis. 
B)  synthetic gems are generally inferior to natural gems. 
C)  synthetic gems are generally cheaper than natural gems. 
D)  many of the diamonds used in both industry and in jewelry are synthetic.

Question 10

Quartz and feldspar are both silicates formed from a three- dimensional framework of silica tetrahedra, but they are completely different minerals. Describe three ways in which they differ.

Accepted Answer

Three ways in which quartz and feldspar

Question 11

Which of the following statements about mineral hardness is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hardness is dependent on the strength of a mineral's weakest bonds. 
B)  Hardness refers to how easily or how resistant a mineral is to breakage. 
C)  Hardness of a mineral is determined by scratching it with a series of other substances of known hardness. 
D)  Hardness ranges from 1 (the softest) to 10 (the hardest) on a scale called the Mohs Hardness Scale. 
A)  Hardness is dependent on the strength of a mineral's weakest bonds. 
B)  Hardness refers to how easily or how resistant a mineral is to breakage. 
C)  Hardness of a mineral is determined by scratching it with a series of other substances of known hardness. 
D)  Hardness ranges from 1 (the softest) to 10 (the hardest) on a scale called the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Question 12

Describe three examples of how specific minerals can be used to determine the geologic events and environmental conditions that may have produced them.

Accepted Answer

1) Large deposits of halite (table salt)

Question 13

Why is the chemical composition of a mineral such as olivine not consistent?

Accepted Answer

Olivine is an example of a mineral in wh

Question 14

Why does the discussion of minerals include a review of chemistry?

Accepted Answer

All minerals are chemical compounds. The

Question 15

Which of the following examples of minerals that form under the given environments is NOT possible?

Accepted Answer

A)  Deposits of calcite form from the slow cooling of molten rock. 
B)  Deposits of stishovite form from meteorite impacts. 
C)  Deposits of halite form from the evaporation of saltwater. 
D)  Deposits of glaucophane form in deep- sea trenches. 
A)  Deposits of calcite form from the slow cooling of molten rock. 
B)  Deposits of stishovite form from meteorite impacts. 
C)  Deposits of halite form from the evaporation of saltwater. 
D)  Deposits of glaucophane form in deep- sea trenches.

Question 16

Which of the following statements regarding mineral identification is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cleavage refers to the tendency of the mineral to break or cleave along distinct planes. 
B)  Hardness is determined using the Moh's Hardness Scale. 
C)  Luster refers primarily to whether the mineral appears to shine when its surface is wet. 
D)  Effervescence refers to the tendency of some minerals to fizz when exposed to acid. 
A)  Cleavage refers to the tendency of the mineral to break or cleave along distinct planes. 
B)  Hardness is determined using the Moh's Hardness Scale. 
C)  Luster refers primarily to whether the mineral appears to shine when its surface is wet. 
D)  Effervescence refers to the tendency of some minerals to fizz when exposed to acid.

Question 17

Mineral hardness refers to:

Accepted Answer

A)  equal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
B)  durability of the mineral. 
C)  inequal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
D)  strength of the bonds in the crystal structure. 
A)  equal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
B)  durability of the mineral. 
C)  inequal bond strength in the crystal structure. 
D)  strength of the bonds in the crystal structure.

Question 18

A rock is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A)  aggregates of several crystals. 
B)  aggregates of one or more minerals. 
C)  aggregates of one or more naturally occurring solids of definite chemical composition. 
D)  aggregates of naturally occurring solids of definite crystalline structure. 
A)  aggregates of several crystals. 
B)  aggregates of one or more minerals. 
C)  aggregates of one or more naturally occurring solids of definite chemical composition. 
D)  aggregates of naturally occurring solids of definite crystalline structure.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about gemstones is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gemstones can form when preexisting rock is subjected to extraordinary pressure and heat. 
B)  Gemstones can form when molten rock cools and crystallizes deep underground. 
C)  Gemstones are formed only from very rare minerals. 
D)  The color in gemstones may result from a few atoms scattered throughout its crystal structure. 
A)  Gemstones can form when preexisting rock is subjected to extraordinary pressure and heat. 
B)  Gemstones can form when molten rock cools and crystallizes deep underground. 
C)  Gemstones are formed only from very rare minerals. 
D)  The color in gemstones may result from a few atoms scattered throughout its crystal structure.

Question 20

The smallest particle of an element that retains all of the element's chemical properties is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  proton. 
B)  molecule. 
C)  mineral. 
D)  atom. 
A)  proton. 
B)  molecule. 
C)  mineral. 
D)  atom.

The property that distinguishes an atom to be that of a particular element is:

In geology, a mineral is defined as:

Which of the following statements concerning diamonds is NOT true?

An atom with only one electron in its outer shell loses that electron, and does the following EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements concerning crystals is NOT true?

Why are the names of minerals not based on the elements from which they are made? How are minerals named?

Opal should NOT be considered a mineral because:

Which of the following atoms would be LEAST likely to bond with other atoms?

All of the following statements concerning synthetic gems are true EXCEPT:

Quartz and feldspar are both silicates formed from a three- dimensional framework of silica tetrahedra, but they are completely different minerals. Describe three ways in which they differ.

Which of the following statements about mineral hardness is NOT true?

Describe three examples of how specific minerals can be used to determine the geologic events and environmental conditions that may have produced them.

Why is the chemical composition of a mineral such as olivine not consistent?

Why does the discussion of minerals include a review of chemistry?

Which of the following examples of minerals that form under the given environments is NOT possible?

Which of the following statements regarding mineral identification is NOT true?

Mineral hardness refers to:

A rock is best defined as:

Which of the following statements about gemstones is NOT true?

The smallest particle of an element that retains all of the element's chemical properties is the:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

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Exam 2: Minerals

The property that distinguishes an atom to be that of a particular element is:

In geology, a mineral is defined as:

Which of the following statements concerning diamonds is NOT true?

An atom with only one electron in its outer shell loses that electron, and does the following EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements concerning crystals is NOT true?

Why are the names of minerals not based on the elements from which they are made? How are minerals named?

Opal should NOT be considered a mineral because:

Which of the following atoms would be LEAST likely to bond with other atoms?

All of the following statements concerning synthetic gems are true EXCEPT:

Quartz and feldspar are both silicates formed from a three- dimensional framework of silica tetrahedra, but they are completely different minerals. Describe three ways in which they differ.

Which of the following statements about mineral hardness is NOT true?

Describe three examples of how specific minerals can be used to determine the geologic events and environmental conditions that may have produced them.

Why is the chemical composition of a mineral such as olivine not consistent?

Why does the discussion of minerals include a review of chemistry?

Which of the following examples of minerals that form under the given environments is NOT possible?

Which of the following statements regarding mineral identification is NOT true?

Mineral hardness refers to:

A rock is best defined as:

Which of the following statements about gemstones is NOT true?

The smallest particle of an element that retains all of the element's chemical properties is the:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters