Question 1

Explain why a geologist would expect to find more basalt on ocean floors as compared to granite.

Accepted Answer

This change in composition occurs because of magma blending as magma works its way up to the surface. The basalt on the ocean floor comes from mid-oceanic ridges which are associated with hot spots from the mantle. The mantle has a mafic mineral composition thus the ocean floors do as well. Silicates make up granite and are lighter minerals that floated towards the surface of the Earth.

Question 2

Silicate minerals are very abundant because silica and oxygen are the two most plentiful elements in the crust and these two minerals readily combine together.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Olivine is common in the Earth's crust especially continental crust because it is found in the mantle and comes up to the surface via hot spots.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Which of the following properties would be the most effective means of mineral identification for the mineral hematite?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cleavage 
B)  Taste 
C)  Color 
D)  How it reacts to acid 
E)  Streak color 
A)  Cleavage 
B)  Taste 
C)  Color 
D)  How it reacts to acid 
E)  Streak color

Question 5

Which of the following would not true about rock-forming silicates?

Accepted Answer

A)  Feldspars make up half of the Earth's crust and are divided into two groups, plagioclase feldspar and alkali feldspar 
B)  Quartz is pure silica and makes up 12% of crustal rocks 
C)  Quartz is common in continental rocks 
D)  Quartz is common in continental, oceanic rocks, and mantle material 
E)  Pyroxene makes up to 11% of the crust 
A)  Feldspars make up half of the Earth's crust and are divided into two groups, plagioclase feldspar and alkali feldspar 
B)  Quartz is pure silica and makes up 12% of crustal rocks 
C)  Quartz is common in continental rocks 
D)  Quartz is common in continental, oceanic rocks, and mantle material 
E)  Pyroxene makes up to 11% of the crust

Question 6

Which is the most common mineral that makes up the Earth's crust? ____________________

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which is the most common mineral that...

Question 7

If you purchase a synthetic ruby, which of the following is true about that gemstone?

Accepted Answer

A)  It may have intrinsic value but it is not a naturally occurring mineral since it is synthetic 
B)  A synthetic or manufactured ruby is worth more than a naturally occurring ruby 
C)  A synthetic ruby forms by natural processes on the Earth 
D)  A synthetic ruby is identical to a natural ruby except for how it formed 
A)  It may have intrinsic value but it is not a naturally occurring mineral since it is synthetic 
B)  A synthetic or manufactured ruby is worth more than a naturally occurring ruby 
C)  A synthetic ruby forms by natural processes on the Earth 
D)  A synthetic ruby is identical to a natural ruby except for how it formed

Question 8

If you lived near a mining operation, you should be concerned about what type of acid mine drainage that could cause water and air pollution in your home or groundwater system? ______________________________

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you lived near a mining operation,...

Question 9

Explain why quartz is the most widespread and abundant continental crust rock.

Accepted Answer

Quartz is found in g

Question 10

Which of the following is not true regarding the crystalline nature of minerals?

Accepted Answer

A)  Every mineral has a crystalline structure and a crystal 
B)  Every mineral has solid elements whose atoms are arranged in a regular, periodically repeated three-dimensional pattern 
C)  Most minerals are formed as tiny crystals that grow as layer after layer of atoms or ions are added to their surfaces 
D)  Giant halite cubes are the result of a single halite crystal that formed large enough for an unaided eye to see the crystal 
E)  A halite crystal can grow if salty seawater evaporates leaving behind more and more sodium and chlorine ions that precipitate onto the corners, edges, and faces of the growing crystal 
A)  Every mineral has a crystalline structure and a crystal 
B)  Every mineral has solid elements whose atoms are arranged in a regular, periodically repeated three-dimensional pattern 
C)  Most minerals are formed as tiny crystals that grow as layer after layer of atoms or ions are added to their surfaces 
D)  Giant halite cubes are the result of a single halite crystal that formed large enough for an unaided eye to see the crystal 
E)  A halite crystal can grow if salty seawater evaporates leaving behind more and more sodium and chlorine ions that precipitate onto the corners, edges, and faces of the growing crystal

Question 11

Explain why quartz will scratch orthoclase.

Accepted Answer

Quartz is a seven on the Moh's

Question 12

Explain why you would expect to find pyroxene in oceanic crust as compared to continental crust.

Accepted Answer

Basalt makes up the

Question 13

Explain how the Earth's systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere) are powered by the Sun.

Accepted Answer

Synthetic is man-mad

Question 14

The chemical formula for quartz is SiO2 which means that it is made up of one atom of silicon for every two atoms of what specific element?   ______________________________

Accepted Answer

Question 15

Which of the following properties would be the most effective means of mineral identification for the mineral pyrite known as fool's gold?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cleavage 
B)  Taste 
C)  Color 
D)  How it reacts to acid 
E)  Streak color 
A)  Cleavage 
B)  Taste 
C)  Color 
D)  How it reacts to acid 
E)  Streak color

Question 16

The color of a mineral is not the best way to identify a majority of minerals because small amount of chemical impurities and imperfections in crystal structure can dramatically alter color.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Explain how clay forms.

Accepted Answer

Clay forms when rain and atmos

Question 18

Which of the following is a true statement about minerals?

Accepted Answer

A)  A total of 88 elements occur naturally in the Earth's crust 
B)  Eight elements make up more than 98% of the crust 
C)  The composition of a mineral can be expressed as a chemical formula such as SiO2 for quartz 
D)  Quartz would not have the same chemical formula anywhere else in the universe-its chemical formula is unique to Earth 
E)  3500 minerals are known on Earth 
A)  A total of 88 elements occur naturally in the Earth's crust 
B)  Eight elements make up more than 98% of the crust 
C)  The composition of a mineral can be expressed as a chemical formula such as SiO2 for quartz 
D)  Quartz would not have the same chemical formula anywhere else in the universe-its chemical formula is unique to Earth 
E)  3500 minerals are known on Earth

Question 19

Explain why sulfuric acid that comes from acid mine drainage can cause additional contaminants such as arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper to be present in water.

Accepted Answer

Sulfide ore minerals are combinations of

Question 20

Corundum will scratch topaz, diamond, and quartz because it has a Moh's Hardness of 9.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 2: Minerals

Explain why a geologist would expect to find more basalt on ocean floors as compared to granite.

Silicate minerals are very abundant because silica and oxygen are the two most plentiful elements in the crust and these two minerals readily combine together.

Olivine is common in the Earth's crust especially continental crust because it is found in the mantle and comes up to the surface via hot spots.

Which of the following properties would be the most effective means of mineral identification for the mineral hematite?

Which of the following would not true about rock-forming silicates?

Which is the most common mineral that makes up the Earth's crust? ____________________

If you purchase a synthetic ruby, which of the following is true about that gemstone?

If you lived near a mining operation, you should be concerned about what type of acid mine drainage that could cause water and air pollution in your home or groundwater system? ______________________________

Explain why quartz is the most widespread and abundant continental crust rock.

Which of the following is not true regarding the crystalline nature of minerals?

Explain why quartz will scratch orthoclase.

Explain why you would expect to find pyroxene in oceanic crust as compared to continental crust.

Explain how the Earth's systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere) are powered by the Sun.

The chemical formula for quartz is SiO2 which means that it is made up of one atom of silicon for every two atoms of what specific element? ______________________________

Which of the following properties would be the most effective means of mineral identification for the mineral pyrite known as fool's gold?

The color of a mineral is not the best way to identify a majority of minerals because small amount of chemical impurities and imperfections in crystal structure can dramatically alter color.

Explain how clay forms.

Which of the following is a true statement about minerals?

Explain why sulfuric acid that comes from acid mine drainage can cause additional contaminants such as arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper to be present in water.

Corundum will scratch topaz, diamond, and quartz because it has a Moh's Hardness of 9.

Earth Systems

Rocks

Geologic Time: a Story in the Rocks

Geologic Resources

The Active Earth: Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and the Earths Structure

Volcanoes and Plutons

Mountains

Weathering, Soil, and Erosion

Fresh Water: Streams, Lakes, Ground Water, and Wetlands

Water Resources

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and Wind

Ocean Basins

Oceans and Coastlines

The Atmosphere

Energy Balance in the Atmosphere

Moisture, Clouds, and Weather

Climate

Climate Change

Motions in the Heavens

Planets and Their Moons

Stars, Space, and Galaxies

Filters

The chemical formula for quartz is SiO₂ which means that it is made up of one atom of silicon for every two atoms of what specific element? ______________________________